Auto Express Special Issue No. 1724, April 13 3 May, 2022

HOLIDAYSPECIAL 132 PAGES FORJUST£3.80 GAUNIDDME OTOTOCRAHROAMVAESNoS.p1e,c7i2a4lI|ss£u3.e80 TUOIKNWC’LsUCDTAIONGRPS Everything you need to know: how to tow, SPECIALISS ANGEROVER DBstraRilnliIdaVanrtEdBNfroitrsSeUtVssgold CPOLMUSPANYCAR SHOOTOUT HotterAstonDBX Electric E-Class DieselvsPHEVvs Electric Which does the business? DRIVEN Flat out in 193mph SUV DRIVEN MercEQE aimsatTesla CRiEtyVcEaArLbEraDnNd’eswSUSVmreabrtir#th1 HSPowRINtoGaCdadrvCaalureetSopyeocuiarlcar 13 Apr-3 May Special Issue 15 w9w7w7.0a9u6t7oe4x5p0r2e9s3s.co.uk



CONTENTS Newsweek 6 EWCCleOOecVVtterisEEctRRcfirfotFNshsiogerevswentrevsrSaeettmirsodnteaioccrhftticaoo#nnnd1icasStlluylUlx-inunVgreyprwSaeUthVvRfeoaranflugeteudreRcoavrser 10 News | New Cars | Features | Tests | Products | Buying cars | Sport CHhuasrsaisc,ábnrakTinegcnanicdaaeirsolraevtiesisontsLfaormV1b0osports car 13 OSnpeeiendseinvegnftiicnkeetss ainrevteorsntuigpa-tbioutnwhy? We find out 14 16 FeaturesCWhaessriisdgeuriunAlhbeortt BnieerwmaKnniatakEeVs6usGfoTr a spin in fast EV New carsRPeatrarcisin-gBwoorrldd’sefiarsut rxacoe rinbauPesutgeot 508 PSE 18 6 On the road in all-new Range Rover Caravan SpecialCGeOrmVaEnRfirmMhearscgeednueinseETeQslEa-beater on its hands 20 22 KImipareSsspivoerptlaugg-einPSHUVEiVs strong company-car choice 24 CIt OcoVstEs R£19A0ks,tbount dMoeasr6t9i7nbhDpBsXup7e0r-7SUV deliver? 26 EMvoaluztdioanaMry Xup-d5ates keep drop-top favourite sweet Road testsWCOhaVt EtoRbuCy,ahroawvtoantow&anmdothteokrithyooumneeedguide 30 CAR•••A••V••ANNING SPECIALCGhBuoGeiGodsuWtseuiFEidtnihtdEoseogseweAetrmacoetTnoamtoUtciroattsaooRolrsntwkarItoahivaNtirnmoayhGgPnmoeP5smdeP58Ps46eP34P42P56542 ProductsHCyOunVdEaiRIonCiqo5m, BMpWan33y0ecaanrdsMtearcrsC-Class in BiK battle 62 10 Smart #1 SUV shows firm’s future 78 20 First test for Merc EQE electric sa 30 Our guide to life on the road MOku2rQcaashrsqa:iNowisnsear ngivQesahsihs qveardiict on all-new Mk3 car TCeOsteVd:E8R8 pCroadrucctasrtoeksepepecyoiaurlcar looking great 83 88 TShneotowp pfoerafomrmecrlsefaornleiftring road grime safely 84 WWhhaet’seblecsltefoarnsheifrting brake dust from alloys? 87 PRTOESDTUECDTS TLheeaktiht teorecnlseuraenleearther trim looks fresh 89 SGplraayssstoclkeeeapnyeorur windows crystal clear 91 MScinroartpcahinstwmorokocothrreecrtisons – without bodyshop bills 93 94 Buying carsWHeowleartnofrdomettaheilelxikpeertas aptrdoetailing masterclass SPCEACRIACLA2R0E22 RegularsYToouyloovtealoRwArVun4n:inogwconsetsr, sbuht anovtethtehinefiortasinamyent 97 98 100 Used BMW 7 Series vs Range Rover 83 Our picks to make your car gleam HUoswedto bbuuyyaeprr’asctgicuail,dqeui:nVteosslevnotiaVl 6Vo0lvo estate 100 62 ICE vs PHEV & EV in company-car test SBaMlooWn v7s SSUeVri-ewshticahkmeaskeosnthReabnesgteusRedovcheorice? 104 ANllethwe icnaforyporuicneeesd before you head to the showroom HGoewt tAounteot aEgxrepartedsesaleonveyoruyr wfaveoeurkite magazine 80 MSpasoerratti and Venturi join forces for Formula E campaign 113 MBaikeckRucthhearftord on why Kia sets the template for car firms 114 SpecialIssue 3

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THISWEEK Visit autoexpress.co.uk for all the latest new cars news Editor-in-chief: Steve Fowler Deputy editor: John McIlroy The elephant in the room isExecutiveeditor:StuartMilne News, reviews and tests Land Rover ’s reliabilityNVeidwesoCacnhSodieAnensrfteeiscSCovnoothrictaleituipfeweafmfrstwsoretnedereieivdustddieticeit:itretwooM:orrAer:r:i:Y:rlkJaD:aSoesAemueRtlaasaeuenunixstrfhGICCBAneairrgbsororfhrssooadrookrmaidnnesf Consumer DCOETNATIALSCT Deputy conCsounmseurmaenrdafnedatfueraetsueredsiteodr:itTorirs:tCahnrSishRaoles-aHmeostnedr Products Products editor: Kim Adams Production THERE’S no doubt that the new Range Rover is an facebook.com/autoexpress Deputy eMxCaenhcauiegtfiivsneugSebeud-debitid-toeiortdro::iMrtS:oatArut:ntaPdRratyouMbPlrioAninrlsttgooolnnne incredible piece of design and engineering. I was @AutoExpress blown away by how well it drives (see page 6) and was youtube.com/autoexpress Digital really surprised how much I enjoyed throwing it around [email protected] CarCbounyteernctoendtietonrCtsae:rdSbihtuoayrneser:&BWeDiSlnkreiGiCvnnuriOsinoosongutrnalpEci,rnlodwHeen,WcaetMrtbreererinsivybclieitWteepseewdradGoeisritddoitoneoiuortgdrc:do:,ieRsrtAC:roiocn:hSrnhPd:at,eaePryTlvrtaioGedeeumoBIHlWnoAaJagadedirrdlwrvaakveeemmiinnsyr some seriously twisty roads. You forget just how big and Consumer&[email protected] heavy it is – until you slide out of the super-comfy Tests [email protected] DrivingDErleivcitnrgicEmleacntraicgcinognteednittoerd:iStoter:pEhlelins HEryrditey driver’s seat and your feet eventually hit the ground! Subscriptions03303339491 Design & Pictures There’s an incredible amount of tech on board, too, [email protected] and some real high-end luxury features – the quality SeSnCeironeraioptriPhvdieocettdsouiigrrgeerncaeetpdorh:irtVe:oDrirc::atPDorerraetiweannGCWoiGbiqlrssauoonenntt seems to be superb. However, there’s one question that £1EmSPVoEEtCRoIrYAinLWgOEnFEeFKwEfRsodrGeleeltisvasel.lr..ethde FOISRSSIUJXUESST Film team hangs over the Range Rover (and other JLR products) and one which must be banished for good with this car. Subscribe to Auto Express today HFeilamdVmoidfaevkoiedree:doGi:trEoetgrh:DWaoniwlSl Wsmwaaerldell Beinghonest,wheneverIrecommendedaLandRover to and get six issues for just £1, plus Special Contributors people in the past, it was with a caveat: it might go wrong. a free STP Complete Fuel System Reliability is not the brand’s strongest suit – and it’s Cleaner worth £14.99. This is ENuicaonlaDoHiuSgm,teSeva,erDaSrhuAtBcnrldaifdyfelPe,ayVl,imcRkoeirbB, AKuentledenrre-aHanes,nOCdoteinsrrsCaoldanty,, not just us saying so. Our own Driver Power survey data designed to clean and protect the Advertising & Promotions proves owners are frustrated. And mud sticks – as social fuel system for lower emissions media proved when I uploaded a video of the clever and restored performance. If you ClieAnctcosauSlneetnsmiSmoDearanniogCniapoiaogtergmaerpelarmbrrstosr:ieo:daDrPnnuceiisdceamtmrldiriopieaMrnuenCbemcalrletgieaomsednrh:reiae:tAnghKrmt:e,esSMrrr,:iraNtyiDrlBeeaLaasahanilmTdPeSaewbStyarilaakrordnlksrt motorised Club Table in a top-spec Range Rover SV rising continue to subscribe, you’ll pay Head oPfuPbRliasnhdinMcgoammrkamentuPainnuggibecmrlai:staSihonoenaprsg:h:eHiKeroa:VlLrlaeyulnkJeeenPrrtaTaiurnmrteyt into position. Responses included: “Another feature to go just £26.99 every three months – wrong”, “Give it 12 months and that’s the only electrical 43 per cent off the shop price. ChieCfEfiOnaAnuctioavlioaffMiceedrA:iaKu:etNorrviyciaoOlLkaiimBkiaiattdeedes component that’ll work”, and “So much to rattle after 18 Autovia Group CEO: Andy Oldham months and then fail just after the warranty ends”. JLR is tVoissuitbasucrtiobee,xapnrdeesnst.ecroth.uekc/osduebDs1c7r2ib4e CONTENT SYNDICATION SALES aware of its issues and its reputation, and we’re assured or call 0330 333 9491 no stone is being left unturned in addressing them. caElOl-+mu4ra4ciol(nn0it)c2eon0lte3i_s8c9arev0aa3sil9ea9yb@8lefaofourrtmosvyoinraed.cidcoea.tutaikoilonsr.. Two things will help the new Range Rover: millions of Sixissuesfor £1 Every13issues:£26.99 Copyright © Autovia Limited 2022. All rights reserved. pounds have been spent on the plant in Solihull to build Sixmonths:£53.99 Annualsubscription:£105.99 the new car; we’re told it’s like a new factory and we know Europe:£130 Restofworld:£200 Auto Express is a registered trade mark. new factories tend to build better-quality cars, as we’ve Subs E-mail [email protected] Auto Express is published weekly by Autovia Limited. Autovia is a trading name seen with the Defender, built in a brand-new facility in of Autovia Limited, registered in England and Wales no. 13018565. Registered Slovakia. Then there’s the new electrical architecture, sOunblisncerisputibosncaritbwewr swe.rmviacneaCgheamnygmeaygosu.rcaod.udkress and renew your with software-over-the-air compatibility, which can fix address: 31-32 Alfred Place, London WC1E 7DP. VAT number 494616317. problems before customers know there are problems. Ttoewll uins£a1b0o0utoyfoAumracazornfovroaucchhaenrcse Neither the whole of this publication nor any part of it may be reproduced, stored This Range Rover deserves wTaehlnaeedncUttcrsoKictv’oesmrhnsoeudnameerlwbfsre,oaramnosdnywueoesuclel.adaOrsocuawarrsrnsaue,nrrpvgslehueysiopipfssmesutiorrmovtoelp,yrldie,nirDegtrsoiiesvules,surhePeystobh.wraiednra,envedr in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means without the to succeed, but that success ● Whatdoyouloveandloatheaboutyourcar?● Howgood written permission of the publishers. Registered as a newspaper at the must come with reliability. arethedealers?● Wouldyourecommendyourcartoafriend? Let’s hope that this time it will. Post Office. Pictures submitted to Auto Express are sent at owners’ risk. While wTowhawve.ayouutroseayx,pscraenstsh.ecQoR.ucokd/edarbiovveero-pr goowtoer every care is taken, neither Auto Express nor its agents accept any liability SEdTiEtoVrE-iFnO-cWhiLeEfR for loss or damage. 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TOPSTORY Visit autoexpress.co.uk for your daily news updates fDaRbIuVlEoNusFniveew-sRtaarnrgaetinRgovfoerr FIRST DRIVE Behind the wheel in brilliant Brit newcomer that sets a fresh gold standard for SUVs Steve Fowler adtACshpnrOesiadvucMitnppehgeliFeerrdpnvbOeotryoRnswiotTiinfon Stev@[email protected] pwreaimlslsaeeinnnsghuearrepspayll IN over 50 years of the Range Rover, this new model is only the fifth iteration of the iconic 4x4. To put that into context, in roughly the same period of time, there have been 11 versions of the Honda Civic, while plenty of other legendary models – including many other 4x4s – have been and gone. The original Range Rover was conceived as the ultimate lifestyle SUV; luxury came later. This new car is tasked with reinventing the genre yet again, with luxury, tech and design to the fore. And this is our first opportunity to get behind the wheel and give our verdict. side trim inserts are more subtle and feature access to far-flung corners of the huge boot. reverse the model’s reputation regarding Look at the newcomer, from the front at a body-coloured panel within them, and The ‘hidden until lit’ light treatment looks quality. Inside, the simple but impeccably least, and you’d be forgiven for thinking this there are flush door handles. Meanwhile, like a black line that surrounds the boot and finished cabin continues the reductionist is a design evolution. But stand it against the the headlights are slimmer and a tech story incorporates the Range Rover name at the theme. Horizontal lines dominate the dash, – still highly rated – old car and suddenly in themselves, and the front is cleaner with top, proudly sitting in what appears to be with a thin, full-width ventilation strip its predecessor looks dated and a bit fussy. only horizontal lines below the bumper. an increasingly common light bar. It’s not complemented by a slightly curved, 13.1- The new car’s beauty is in the detail, which At the back there’s the usual bustle below – a measure of restraint that sums up the inch infotainment screen. There must have is all about simplicity. There are fewer welds the rear screen, while the lower portion of the design. Those slim, vertical rear lights are been a temptation to go bigger – resisted around the roof, for example, giving a cleaner split tailgate is smaller than before, aiding simple LED designs that house everything again – but maybe that’s holding something look above the flush-fitting side glazing. needed at the back. Less is more. back for a later model year. We certainly Land Rover’s engineers must have rolled Whether or not you like the design, one think it could grow in size, not that it’s hard to use or lacking in functionality. We quickly “The new Range Rover’stheireyeswhenthedesignteamsuggested thing we love is the improved paint finish switched off the haptic feedback, though beauty is in the detail, whichit–butthoseverysameengineershave and panel fit. It was good before, but now come up with incredible solutions to make is all about simplicity” it’s excellent – no doubt due to the huge – the screen is easy enough to use without those far-fetched sketches become reality. investment in Land Rover’s Solihull factory, having to resort to hard prods. There are fewer creases on the doors, the where the Range Rover is built, to try to Thankfully Land Rover has also resisted the temptation to locate every control on the screen; there are separate heating and ventilation functions, as there are for the driver-control features. The gear selector is lovely to touch, but not the best solution. Having to press a button before selecting a gear can be awkward when you’re in a hurry, while the sensitive back-and-forth movement makesithard to find neutral– essential when selecting low range if you’re going off-road. Low range is controlled by a button, while a pop-up knob takes care of the myriad drive modes and Terrain Response for off-roading – or you can leave it in auto as, we suspect, most owners will for most of the time. We also love the cup-holders that slide to reveal a secret hidey hole, complemented by plenty of storage ahead of the gearlever, where you will also find wireless charging. There is more stowage space beneath the centre armrest. One thing Land Rover’s SUVs have always done better than anyone else is the driving position – it’s called COMMAND for good reason. Not only do you sit high (although the hip point to ground is the same as in 6 SpecialIssue

TOPSTORYNewRangeRover Essentials DRa3n5g0eMRHoEvVerHSE (SWB) Price: £108,775 Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder diesel mild hybrid Power/torque: 345bhp/700Nm Transmission: Efoiguhr-tw-shpeeeelddariuvetomatic, 0-60mph: 5.8 seconds Top speed: 145mph Economy: 36.1mpg CO2: 205g/km ONSALE NOW berWiaduietth,ifRureallanyrg-jweudhROgeoeeNvdlesrT‘mtheHaaegEnriidncRl-gecsOaarnwApdeeDtall’ and can be great fun to drive SpecialIssue 7

TOPSTORY NewRangeRover CABIN TmascaivRnouehnatsamrsedenesttregafcapsiooretiturionirrealptRraemlfrsmoebleel;ivaalmuaeaaetymrudreokreauerostsut DASHBOARD Mtthhiiensilnmuexawulircsyotfmdeeeeslritgihnnastiednpeheaarvnnadcdeoesust ioEnwQchnUitnIofPuocMthasinEcmrNeeeTnntRcfeoeamart-fusoreretastcohpnaatpsrtsoieclsnf,egweedhrsbilegaec1kt3t.h5-eir the old car), but the controls are all easy to find and reach, and the view out is superb all round. It makes you feel regal. New front quarterlights improve visibility, but in such a beautifully minimalist interior, the plastic boxes that sit at the bottom of them – not in alignment with anything, but housing tweeters for the audio system and the attachments for the mirrors on the other side of the glass – look a little out of place. w“NitehwScUaVrsfefreolsminlukxeuerpying unit, giving the big car an unexpected sense enjoy. In fact, you’ll just enjoy driving it much mwaaykservse–rybmutuicnhmbeatntyer” of urgency. It’s smooth and only sounds more all round. It’s incredibly quiet, with next In the back there are more options than remotely like a diesel when you accelerate to no road noise and only a bit of wind noise ever. Yes, there are standard and long- hard – and you might be tempted to, thanks around the mirrors, although we’re told this wheelbase models with two or three rear to a 5.8-second 0-60mph time. is likely to be improved on production cars. seats – the former can be had in the top SV For most of the time, though, it’s not far Then there’s the ride – best described as model with a club table that majesticallyrises off the silence and smoothness of the six- beautifully judged. It’s communicative, so out of the centre console, and a fridge with a powered door. But for the first time in a cylinder petrol, but with a good deal more you’re aware of the state of the road, but it Range Rover, you can also have seven seats. grunt. The slick-shifting eight-speed ZF auto always stays comfortable – even on massive They’re available only on long-wheelbase from two different plug-in hybrids with a gearbox helps, too, making light work of 23-inch wheels. The Land Rover team cars, which aids clambering into the third claimed 70-mile all-electric range. Initially, changes when pushing on and just blending references a ‘magic-carpet ride’, and there’s row and also gives surprisingly good knee depending on spec, there are two diesels into the background the rest of the time. certainly plenty of magic going on with the and headroom for sub-six footers – although or two petrols, one of which is a 4.4-litre A heavier diesel engine in the nose can active electronic air-suspension and other your knees will be elevated. Of course, all V8. The bulk of our time was spent in the sometimes upset a car’s balance, but here’s hi-tech features that boost ride and handling. the seats are powered and the rearmost most powerful diesel, a 345bhp six-cylinder perhaps the most surprising aspect of the On one swift section on our test route, ones gracefully hide away in the boot floor. engine with a massive 700Nm of torque. new Range Rover – it handles well and can a downhill, sweeping right-hander, we hit a In standard-wheelbase models, the new Despite diesel being a dirty word for some, be great fun to drive. Key to this new-found mid-corner bump. That might induce one of car’s longer wheelbase compared with its that doesn’t apply to Range Rover owners – agility is rear-wheel steering, which gives the two things on such a large SUV: you’d either predecessor improves the already-generous especially those buying for themselves rather big modelimpressive manoeuvrabilityat slow feel the suspension hit its bump stops and legroom, while the quality of design and than through their companies. For them, the speeds and when parking, but also helps to give you a jolt, or you might feel the car get finish across the cabin is hugely impressive. idea of being able to drive long distances tighten things up when driving faster. a bit bouncy for a little too long. The Range Under the clamshell bonnet there are six without the need (if not the desire) to stop is The new Range Rover is no sports car, Rover does neither; there’s only some gentle powertrain options – for now; the first Range hugely appealing. And this engine is equally for sure, but it’ll grip, stay flatter than before body movement, then the car just carries on. Rover EV arrives in 2024. Before then, in appealing in its character. On this form, diesel and you will be able to place it with greater Our route was long and twisty, and the just a few months, you’ll be able to choose is not dead. It’s the torque that makes this confidence through a corner, which you’ll road was damp, yet in spite of many hours 8 SpecialIssue www.autoexpress.co.uk

TOPSTORYNewRangeRover behind the wheel we got out feeling Q&A NICK COLLINSEPxroegcruatmivemdeisre, Jcatogur,aVreLhaicnled Rover remarkably fresh – and smiling. Of course, we then had to venture off-road; a strange WE speak to the man in charge of the latest Range juxtaposition of sitting in one of the classiest, Rover programme about new model’s attributes and most comfortable cabins over some seriously its importance to Land Rover, its workers and the UK inhospitable terrain. The Range Rover didn’t even break sweat, taking care of all the Q How important is the new Range Rover for JLR? tricky stuff thanks to the various Terrain A The latest Range Rover is crucially important. It’s Response settings. In fact, over some of the trickiest stuff, you just sit back and the halo of all of our product range and really defines steer – the car pretty much does the rest. the top of our portfolio. It’s a massive global success, and you couldn’t really underestimate how important On and off road, the diesel impressed us it is to the whole business. so much we’d take it ahead of the 395bhp six-cylinder petrol. Sure, there are slight Q Isthiseverything JLR knowsaboutcarsin onemodel? refinement gains in the latter, while the fuel A Yeah, it really is. The Range Rover is the absolute is also cheaper, but both share a 0-60mph time. That mighty torque makes the diesel latest in all of our technology, from both an engineering feel quicker than the petrol, too – and it’ll perspective and also a manufacturing-technology go further between fills. The V8, on the perspective. It’s all new, from the ground up. It’s a other hand, will always be tempting; not massive commitment to our UK engineering, our UK so much for its 516bhp and 4.5-second manufacturing in Solihull as well. It really showcases 0-60 sprint time, more for its fruity exhaust the very best of what we can do as a company. note – starting with a short and tuneful crescendo when you press the starter button. Q What are the technological highlights? A It’s an all-new architecture: it’s incredibly stiff. Although we drove the long-wheelbase SV range-topper in luxury Serenity trim (you Then we’ve got amazing new chassis technology as well. could go for a sportier Intrepid), it felt just as Rear-wheel steer at the back of the car, new suspension wieldyas the standard-wheelbase model.The geometry in the rear, new air springs, new dampers, Range Rover is one of those rare cars that and really we’ve worked incredibly hard to make it an feels like it shrinks around you; remarkable engaging model to drive, but with that magic-carpet ride for something of its size and weight. and incredible comfort. Then there’s our progression on our electrical architecture. We’ve got 63 ECUs in this car, As well as SV, with its ceramic gearshifter with software we can update over the air. and badges, plus numerous other luxury touches, there’ll be a limited number of First Q There’s plenty of competition in the luxury-SUV Edition cars, then moving further down the range the usual Autobiography, HSE and SE. space. What does the Range Rover offer the driver Our HSE car came with all the luxury and that its competitors don’t? safety tech you could want, with much of it having the potential to get better with age A You’ve always got that go-anywhere capability, thanks to over-the-air software updates. and it’s an iconic silhouette – you can’t mistake it for And not only are the seats super- anything else. It’s amazingly comfortable, it’s actually comfortable, we also love the combination accessible compared with some of those other brands of premium, sustainable textiles used on the as well. But in this fifth generation we really are class- seats, steering wheel, across the dash and leading in the electrical architecture, the software, doors, and on the shifter. We’ve come across the infotainment. Yet we’ve also got this fantastic Kvadrat before – a more traditional woven ride quality, combined with the handling quality as material – but the Ultrafabrics on the seat well. It’s the jack of all trades. facings feel like a cross between leather and suede. In their own way, they point towards Q How important is it to the UK and the Midlands? the tech story that’s behind the Range Rover A It’s a huge investment for us as a business – all designed just to make your life better. – it’s a massive commitment from us to the UK. Our And so it should, with prices starting at engineering teams, in both Gaydon and Whitley, have a shade under £100,000. However, that done an amazing job bringing this car to life, but also places the Range Rover in an interesting our manufacturing and engineering teams and our niche, above SUVs from premium brands, design teams. You don’t bring a car to market like this but below those from luxury makers. The without the complete effort of the entire business. new model feels more in keeping with the latter – but in many ways very much better. SpecialIssue 9 Verdict THE new Range Rover is modern British luxury at its best. It blends traditional craftsmanship and engineering brilliance with the very latest tech that enhances ownership and the driving experience. And what surprised us most is how much we enjoyed driving the car. The Range Rover always was a great all-rounder; part luxury car, part family car, part 4x4. That has all been enhanced – and we’d add part GT into the mix. It’s an outstanding achievement. 

NEWS Smart#1 CHASSIS GTiwpSnhmleialetelthaflu#oryet1nr’sfmmdusSeitotEutrshdpAreaeointlns Mdaisnhim, haeliasdt -inutperdiiosrpilsaypaacnkdeda w12it.h8-liantcehstintefoctha,ininmcleundtintoguachdsigcriteaeln Smart gearOiFnFICgIALup for rebo Sean Carson ●● CCloamimpeadctrEaVngaerroivfe2s73inm2i0le2s3 executive saloon. The #1 also features a interior, with a minimalist design. A central [email protected] 15-litre storage area in the nose and a boot 12.8-inch touchscreen places a focus on that offers up to 411 litres of load space. connectivity, because the infotainment can SMART’s reboot as a premium compact topped up from 10-80 per cent in less than The styling is very close to the Concept be upgraded through over-the-air software electric car maker has begun with the 30 minutes, while plugging into a 22kW AC #1, and highlights Smart’s future design updates. It’s joined by a 9.2-inch full HD Smart #1, which represents a totally fresh charger will return a 10-80 per cent charge direction, with smooth surfaces, a simple digital dash and a 10-inch head-up display. start for the city car marque. in around three hours. lighting signature and a sleek roof design Level 2 autonomous driving capability is Arriving in 2023, this compact EV is the The battery feeds a single rear-mounted that swoops down over the C pillars. The part of an Advanced Driver AssistanceSystem first Smart developed under joint Daimler- motor, producing 268bhp and 343Nm of #1 launch car rides on 19-inch alloys. package, offering adaptive cruise control Geely ownership, and is based on an all-new torque, and while Smart hasn’t outlined a There’s lots of Mercedes influence in the with stop and go tech, lane-keep assist, electric architecture from the latter, called 0-62mph time, it has confirmed a top speed styling, but perhaps that’s not surprising blind spot, highway and traffic jam assist, SEA. This will underpin Smart’s forthcoming of 112mph. Weighing 1,820kg, the #1 given that Gorden Wagener, Mercedes’ chief automatic parking and adaptive high beam new range, while the #1 sets the template should be able to cover the benchmark design officer, oversaw the process. headlights. Seven airbags are also fitted. for the brand’s future design direction. sprint in less than seven seconds. The new look is as big a focus as the new While Smart has not yet outlined prices Auto Express understands all of the firm’s At 4.27 metres long, the #1 is the largest tech for Smart, and the same is true for the for the #1, the brand has highlighted that future cars will use the same ‘#’ hashtag Smart ever. Unlike the four-seat Concept #1, it will be competitive with rival EVs such as the Hyundai Kona Electric and Volkswagen “This compact EV is thenumbered nomenclature, which willposition the production #1 is a full five-seatSUV. ID.3. Volvo will produce a small electric SUV of its own on the same SEA platform, models chronologically rather than by size. A wheelbase of 2.75 metres is relatively but the Smart will be the cheaper of the pair. It points to the #1 starting from around first Smart developedFrom launch the #1 has a 66kWh battery, long given the car’s overall length, and £32,000 when it goes on sale at the end under joint Daimler-for a claimed range of up to 273 miles. It’s should help maximise passenger space. likely that smaller battery options will be Smart claims that while the #1 is similar of this year before deliveries start in 2023. Geely ownership”available in time, too. With 150kW rapid in size to a MINI Countryman, there’s as charge capability, the car’s battery can be much space inside as a Mercedes E-Class 10 SpecialIssue www.autoexpress.co.uk

NEWSSmart#1 ot with #1 uFlnipliktehethceenCtorencbeapctk#r1e,stwuhpicahncdouthlde o#n1lbyeaccocmomesmaodfiavtee-sfeoautrer, UplKanboasnsdofuirtmlin’seasmtrbimition THREE trim levels will be offered in the UK when the #1 goes on sale later this year, ahead of deliveries in 2023. Alongside the top-spec Launch Edition, Smart UK CEO David Browne told Auto Express that a Pro+ and a Premium trim will be available, simplifying the line-up with very few options. Asked if an even more affordable version to slip in under the plug-in car grant threshold was possible, Browne said that “the market has moved so quickly with EV adoption and pricing that we have to keep watching to see if it’s somewhere we can get to.” He also said that despite the shift in focus for the brand, “Smart still stands for iconic design, innovation and utilisation of space” and the #1 lives up to this. He added the #1 will offer “curated personalisation, with different body and roof colour combinations” and pointed out that “Smart wants to be more than a one-car brand” given its investment in the new SEA platform, which will allow the business to do that. Browne aims to take Smar back to its peak, with sales “tip into five figures for the fi full year”. He said chip supply shouldn’t be a problem for the brand, and it’ll be able to deliver this volume in the UK without del SpecialIssue 11

usCasovioninlggislemssoraen.d Don’t waste a single drop of energy. Up to PETRONAS Syntium with CoolTech+TM technology emffiocrieenfuceyl* controls the heat under your hood, extending parts life and maximising the engine’s efficiency to lower your fuel consumption and emissions. Control the heat *Based on industry standard test SEQUENCE: VIE, against the API SP limit. Maximise efficiency. Visit https://www.pli-petronas.com/en-gb

NEWSLamborghini Huracán Tecnica Tecnica targets track and road fun t●o bTeocohstaLnadmtubnoirngghtiwnieHaukrsacaáimn OFFICIAL Sean Carson [email protected] THIS is the new Lamborghini Huracán CdtsoeiHfafTuetAsscNenarir.cGeaHE,feiwtSitgehhFditlr-eoaansdthtjsueetsranetndaidbsiaslearudsnnpeiqowurtersear Tecnica, which the brand says is designed to offer “driving fun and lifestyle h“Tehxaegfoirnmm’sotrtaifdfeemataurrkes, hexagonal design theme and are wrapped Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Amazon perfection on the road and track”. wheitxhagaopnaailrtoafilppriopmesi”nent in Bridgestone Potenza Sport tyres. Alexa compatibility, while customisation Based on the rear-drive Huracán Evo Inside, height-adjustable sports seats are options extend to the trim choices. RWD, the Tecnica is powered by the STO’s fitted as standard, while Lamborghini will At the time of going to press, prices had 5.2-litre naturally aspirated V10 engine, offer a lightweight-door option, as well as not been confirmed, but they are expected producing 631bhp and 565Nm of torque racing harnesses. The Huracán’s central to start from around £215,000. The Tecnica for a claimed 0-62mph time of 3.2 seconds. touchscreen display is retained, offering is on sale and available to order now. The car’s top speed stands at 202mph. Key to the Tecnica’s balance between usability on the road and performance on track is a recalibrated Lamborghini Dinamica Veicolo Integrata (LDVI) driving mode system. The car has a rear-axle steering set-up and specifically tuned suspension damper profiles, and more downforce and less drag from the revised styling. Specially designed cooling ducts channel air onto the calipers of the carbon-ceramic brakes and are part of a new front end specific to the Tecnica. The car’s front bumper is inspired by the brand’s Terzo Millennio model, integrating the Huracán Evo’s blades at the extremes of the lower bumper with a black Y-shaped insert next to each headlight, incorporating an air curtain for the first time on any Huracán. There’s also a new frontsplitter, while the firm’s trademark hexagon motif features, with a pair of prominent hexagonal tail- pipes protruding through mesh comprising the same hexagonal design. A vertical glass rear window is designed to improve visibility. The engine cover is made from carbon fibre and there’s a new rear diffuser element, too, which is finished in either body colour or black as an option. The Huracán Tecnica rides on 20-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels that maintain the Cost of M-way fast charging highlighted POLITICAL commentator and broadcaster Iain Dale was making PRICE COMPARISON EV vs ICE headlines instead of reporting them last week, with a newspaper column focusing on the problems he encountered driving an electric Provider Highest power Lowest power Petrol Cost of 200 EV miles Costof200ICEmiles Audi e-tron to East Yorkshire being widely shared on social media. charge cost/kW charge cost/kW per litre P(eoslte:s2ta.7r 2mSiletds/RkaWnghe@70mph) A(eusdt:i4A54m4p0gTF@S7I 0mph) As well as gripes about poor availability and reliability of public Gridserve 45p (max 350kWh) 39p (Max 60kWh) N/A £33.34 (max) - chargers, and the consequent difficulty in planning his journey, Dale Ionity £53.34 (max) - expressed shock at the cost of using high-powered public chargers InstaVolt 72p (max 350kWh) N/A N/A £37.03 (max) - en route. While many EV drivers top up their cars at home to make big savings on their fuel bills, it’s a very different picture out on 50p (max 125kWh) 50p (min 50kWh) N/A - £36.71 Britain’s motorways and A-roads, where fast charge point providers can, and do, set much higher tariffs. TSMoe1drvduiincnelgestaodned N/A N/A £1.82 We checked prices from major providers last week, to compare SpecialIssue 13 the cost of motorway recharging for a 200-mile drive against the cost of refueling a petrol car. As our table shows, it’s now easy to spend more on electricity than petrol. www.autoexpress.co.uk

EspXNEeCWeSLSdUpeediinSgntickIegtsVhockfEinMesorceanthcaenlle2d80in,0’0210 ●● ORevaesroonnseiinnclsuedveenadtimckientisstwraetirveecaernrcoerlsleadn,dsasyto2le8nUvKehpioclliecse forces OFFICIAL Tristan Shale-Hester markings at the site of the offence. Hojol bfGinyOessTomrCeHecofArodr!emd85owfpeserperecdeeednttecocatfmedera trist@[email protected] Uddin, motoring lawyer at JMW Solicitors, told us that in these cases, only fines issued Wbeheynhtoarvneuthpe?y MORE than one in seven speeding after the matter was brought to the police’s tickets issued in Great Britain last attention would be overturned. Fines and Emergency services year were cancelled, new official data has points that have already been dished out revealed. The 28 police forces in England, are not retrospectively overturned, because Eewmxheeemnrgptethnfercoyym’-rseesorpvneicebedluvineeg-hliitgcichlektsertuasnres Wales and Scotland who responded to this may cause difficulties for the police if, a Freedom of Information request from for example, the offence had played a role pwFviuositrihrtsiuendegiipdgflrnofoommrdatriatciibkcvreioemtasr,mdsnuaoMrnreioatnytroeortitshtsose Auto Express issued a total of 1.87million in a disqualification or prison sentence. StianircicgkgouernetrseatchcgtaaoentrcrDeoinlralisevdudefsrfaisigcsnwieasnh/rtomecssaauurnlkctcigneegstsstfhauerleliyr speeding tickets in 2021, of which 287,554 Furthermore, there’s no route for a driver cAbwayidnthmcmecislolitenuadrk.sieeCssoosrvauicndeodncsactaouTiusincerkitndegdtpsaertosrerebsonlretsmoasuret (15 per cent) were cancelled. who’s already paid their fine and accepted Sscisattonnolceolentelrlaenendspd;vto/ehonehrsciirblecolgleneisefsotderTrvetihecdkheekicoetlsfeefespfonearcrree There’s a range of reasonswhy a fine might their penalty points to overturn this outcome, be cancelled – for example if the offending unless they made a civil application for car was an emergency-service vehicle on a a judicial review, which Uddin says is blue-light run. Administrative issues caused not something he’s ever seen before. a lot of cancellations, too. Forces told us Some of the fines we were told about that a shortage of speed-awareness courses were cancelled for less conventional due to the pandemic led to many being reasons. Foreign drivers aren’t pursued for cancelled. Others were cancelled after being fines, while diplomats with immunity from issued by mistake or with incorrect details. prosecution automatically get their tickets Others missed the six-month deadline due cancelled. In some cases, the drivers had to a backlog or the driver not being traced. died since committing the offence, while A number of speeding vehicles were in some others cyclists triggered cameras. stolen, wearing cloned number plates or Of the 1.87m fines recorded, 1.58m (85 both. These fines were cancelled, because per cent) were detected by speed cameras; the registered keepers who received them 913,921 were picked up by a fixed camera had not been responsible for the offences. – including average-speed checks and smart A significant number of fines were also motorway gantries – while 495,092 came overturned after it emerged that there was from mobile units. Only 40,864 were via insufficient signage or incorrect road police with radar guns or pulling drivers over. “Forces said a shortage of speed-awareness courses due to the pandemic led to many tickets being cancelled” Merc opens up four-cylinder SL nCietwroeCn3 l–aujunscthfeosr sYpoeucial THIS is the new Mercedes-AMG SL 43, an entry-level, four-cylinder version of the CITROEN has added a new C3 model to its brand’s reborn 2+2 roadster. range. Costing from £12,995, theYou targets Power comes from the same 2.0-litre buyers of the brand’s former C1 city car. turbocharged petrol engine used in the A 45 superhatch, but it features 48-volt Powered by an 82bhp 1.2-litre three- mild-hybrid tech and is slightly detuned, cylinder petrol engine, its standard kit to develop 376bhp. Unlike other SL includes LED headlights, cruise control models, drive goes to the rear wheels with a speed-limiter function, and a DAB only, but the SL 43 uses the same eight- OFFICIAL radio with a five-inch touchscreen system. speed automatic gearbox. Citroen will sell the car exclusively online. It’s the lightest SL variant and 0-62mph takes 4.9 seconds, while the top speed is www.autoexpress.co.uk 171mph. Adaptive dampers and rear-wheel rSSftfrrhoLooTuamn4nnYt3kdLVasstp8ItataNroivonlpeGnsdrimpssaNienooosedonuwtsther steering will be available as options. The model will go on sale in the UK, but prices have not yet been confirmed. However, it should be far cheaper than the £147,475 V8-powered SL 55 4MATIC. 14 SpecialIssue

NEWS ninebwrisef 4Ja0g0uaSrpoF-rPt oanceth3e0i0r wanady pJeaespt aconndcleopotks tcoelfeubturarteefbBooOcausLsteDsdeAWxtNrreaDmngelBesrRtyBIloiGnbgHcaoTnndcOefnpf-otrodaodo-rs Sean Carson ● Latest one-offs revealed at 4x4 maker’s Easter Safari get-together TWO new versions of the Jaguar F-Pace [email protected] are coming. The 300 and 400 Sport JEEP’S annual pilgrimage to Moab, OFFICIAL models sit beneath the V8-powered F-Pace SVR super-SUV range-topper. Utah, for the Easter Safari gathering has once again offered up a collection of The 300 makes use of a 3.0-litre brand-new Jeep concept cars. straight-six diesel, while the 400 Sport An evolution of one oflastyear’sshowings features a straight-six petrol unit – both is the new Magneto 2.0. It uses the same with mild-hybrid tech. Standard kit battery set-up as before, with a total of includes 21-inch black wheels, a black 70kWh of energy split over four separate styling pack, Windsor leather upholstery packs placed around the vehicle. For 2022 and Amazon Alexa integration. this powers an electric motor pumping out 616bhp and 1,152Nm of torque. A Drerhuagb-durnivdeerrsnfaecwinlgaw 2.0-second 0-60mph sprint is claimed. The Magneto 2.0 is joined by the ’41, THE Transport Secretary has launched a military-inspired Wrangler concept that a call for evidence as part of a new drug- is said to recognise the brand’s combat has Jeep’s 4Xe 2.0-litre turbocharged driving crackdown. Grant Shapps wants heritage and “off-road-capability leadership four-cylinder plug-in hybrid set-up, and the law to change so that convicted for more than 80 years”. Shining the claims an electric-only range of 21 miles. motorists are required to go through spotlight on the original Willys Jeep, the Meanwhile, the Bob is a cross between a rehabilitation course – in addition ’41 features olive-green paint, blackpowder- the brand’s Gladiator pick-up and a to any ban, prison sentence or fine – coated bumpers, a winch, half doors and Wrangler, and there’s also a Wrangler before getting back behind the wheel, a graphics pack, as well as interior Rubicon 20th anniversary concept. Jeep has as is already the case for drink-drivers. modifications that include a new gearlever. showcased a more off-road-focused version A two-inch suspension lift kit has been of its Grand Cherokee Trailhawk 4Xe plug-in, IwoNfitWShiP6lly1I6sR-biEnhspDppiErueardset-JeeereleSpcat’f4rai1crimMsaoawdgneuel t(notvoe2pi.)l0ianlgong More than 12,000 people were too, with 20-inch wheels and 33-inch tyres. convicted of drug-driving in 2019, applied, and the 17-inch wheels wear All can be seen online at autoexpress.co.uk. with 44 per cent of incidents being 35-inch mud-terrain tyres. The ’41 concept committed by previous offenders. New Toyota coupé starts at £30k OFFICIAL AEllllecshmaenrgeePaotrAtsptlraan’st IT’LL cost £29,995 to get behind the wheel of Toyota’s new GR86 sports car, the brand has confirmed – or £299 IT’S the end of an era at Vauxhall’s a month on a 42-month contract with a £4,777 deposit. Ellesmere Port plant, as the final Astra rolled off the production line on 6 April There’ll be only one grade of GR86 offered, and as 2022. The brand began making Astras at standard the 232bhp coupé comes with 18-inch black the Wirral facility on 16 November 1981, alloy wheels, adaptive LED lights and a reversing having previously imported rebadged camera. Inside, heated seats, dual-zone climate control, versions of the Opel Kadett. Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, and leather/ Ultrasuede upholstery are also part of the package. From then until now, some four million Astras spanning seven The rear-wheel-drive, 2.5-litre, six-speed manual generations have been built at GR86 will sprint from 0-62mph in 6.3 seconds, while Ellesmere Port. The factory will now Toyota offers an automatic model for an extra £2,090. undergo a £100m refit to become an electric-van production facility. SpecialIssue 15 www.autoexpress.co.uk

WhNoeEtWtrSeiKidasEV6teGT mshoodtegluyneitn Kia’s John McIlroy fast GT has to be able to be comfortable, Joh@[email protected] and quick to accelerate, but also to go more Essentialsthan 100mph where the rules allow it.” ALBERT Biermann, Kia’s Executive The rolling refinement starts to take a KiaEV6GT Technical Advisor, is sitting at the wheel hit as the speedo races beyond 160km/h Price: £58,295 of the new 577bhp, all-electric Kia EV6 GT – (100mph). There’s very little motor noise, Engine: e7l7ekcWtrihcbmaottteorrys, dual the brand’s highest-performance model to but tyre roar from the road surface becomes Power: 577bhp date. And Auto Express is alongside him. noticeable. Then as we near 200km/h, Transmission: Sfoiunrg-lwe-hsepeeleddriavueto, The twin-motor set-up enables 0-62mph (124mph), wind noise inevitably takes over. in 3.5 seconds and a top speed of 162mph. We’re still able to talk, mind. Or at least, But as we pull out of a basement garage at Biermann is. He’s enthusing about how all 0-62mph: 3.5 seconds Kia’s HQ, Biermann is quick to point out the of the tech in the car has been developed Top speed: 162mph positioning that he and his engineering in-house – then performs a fast lane switch Range: 251 miles (WLTP) team have been aiming for. to demonstrate that while we’re isolated Charging: 239kW (10-80% from the worst road scars, the EV6 GT still “The idea is for this to be a fast car, but remains tied down at speed. And it does, 18min) not necessarily a true high-performance even when Biermann plays with the car’s model,” he says. “That sounds strange, settings to invoke the most aggressive ONSALE Late 2022 I suppose, but my definition is that a fast motor response while keeping the car is, well, fast, while a performance car is FIRST RIDE one that can do lap after lap at a race track. suspension in its most comfortable setting. That’s not what the EV6 GT is about; the We can see how, with the right charging clue is in the name. It’s a fast grand tourer.” network allowing you to exploit the 220kW- OcfoHpAoafelubrOrrKreeftiTomoraatr’rsmadSlBynahaiEettinjegaArocmhsieTnteaessnt-n Sure enough, the initial feeling through plus DC rates, this would be a devastatingly the seat bases is not of a car whose effective zero-emissions cross-country tool. suspension is ultra-stiff so its 2.2 tonnes No, we don’t manage to hit 260km/h – but can be thrown around the Nordschleife. we’ve little doubt that had road conditions We finally reach the motorway and allowed it, we could have done. Biermann’s patience, which has been sorely Verdict tested, is rewarded with a stretch of clear AN early test shows that the EV6 GT isn’t an road. He stamps on the right-hand pedal. There’s the same sort of punch in the kidneys that you get with the fastest EVs, unruly hotrod, but a potent, fast electric car but then it carries on. “This is what I’m that can do the day-to-day stuff. Biermann’s particularly proud of,” Biermann says. “A mission looks on track to succeed. Refreshed looks and latest tech for X7 OFFICIAL BMW has given the largest member of its SUV line-up a mid-life facelift. This is the new X7, which embraces a split-headlight front-end design, something we’ll see on the next-generation 7 Series later this year. There’s a new M Sport bodykit and the availability of 23-inch wheels, the largest factory-fit rims ever supplied by the firm. Redesigned tail-light clusters are also fitted, while the chrome strip across the tailgate is now located beneath glass. Inside, along with new standard kit such as a wireless smartphone charger and a BtoMucWh’ssc‘rCeuernvesdet-Duipspalarey’fidttiegditaalsdsiatalsndaanrdd new Comfort Package for the second and third rows, the X7 gets BMW’s ‘Curved Display’ infotainment suite, with a 12.3-inch six-cylinder petrol xDrive40i model now digital instrument panel that blends with produces 375bhp and 540Nm, up by a 14.9-inch central infotainment screen. 40bhp and 90Nm. Diesel power is covered The engine line-up is new, too. All by the xDrive40d, now also with 48-volt versions of the X7 are now supported by tech and totals of 347bhp and 720Nm. 48-volt mild-hybrid technology. The M50i Prices for the X7 start from £88,980 for becomes the M60i, and uses a 4.4-litre the xDrive40d diesel and £81,600 for the turboV8 developing 523bhp and 750Nm of xDrive40i petrol, while the range-topping torque. That’s the same as before, but the M60i is offered from £103,600. 16 SpecialIssue www.autoexpress.co.uk

Inbox Yourviews qWueewstaionntstoorhoepairnyioonusrvtioewthse. SE-emnadilyaodudrress below Contact Tristan Shale-Hester HOT TOPIC Toyota GR Corolla FROM: Julian S I’M not sure about that FROM: Joseph Lynn THIS is a seriously triple-exhaust arrangement. The rest cool car. Toyota would be foolish of the car is amazing, however. Toyota not to bring it to the UK and Europe is having fun here, something I feel is – we’re a really big market for hot starting to fade away in cars. I almost hatches. Will many Americans buy wouldn’t expect to see a fun, fiery one? They seem obsessed with version of the Corolla nowadays. pick-up trucks the size of houses! hThAoaamytsceohfrtaiacin’sassnbGionmRutaCnhrodekreofUotlKl,rabthhueot t Join the debate at www.autoexpress.co.uk ■ “Can’t decide if I like ■ “The exterior looks ■ “Designers must have the design. I reckon it great, but the interior been desperate to make looks better in darker is a bit of a letdown something that looked colours.” by comparison.” different. Not a fan.” Craig Burland Grant Rossouw Antonio P MAKEOVER Bcaeminegracasnfodridreaabrovuiet w Iis’mn’tamfrayidcuMpookfkteaajust mThawteaahcniilvlhdie-ellne-wihgobahylelolobtlegorcXniykld7ug,’ssitvgeeernst FROM: Gavin Peters IT sounds as FROM: Ryan Hall READING about the though the pre-production Genesis Vauxhall Corsa and Mokka trim level GV60 made a good impression (Issue changes (Issue 1,723), I find it bizarre 1,723). I’m not thrilled to see another that anyone would contemplate manufacturer replace wing mirrors paying nearly £5,000 more for the with cameras, though. I test drove latter. Each to their own, but I’d save a Honda e with this feature and the cash and go for the supermini, found it impossible to get used to. which must be better to drive! Ibti’sgpgoriilnletsletsosIfCitEticnagrs Hacactessosifbf lteoEDVukchuafrogrer FROM: Liam Jacobs I AGREE with Bob FROM: KL DUKU is to be commended Bull (Issue 1,723), but would go for its work on an accessible EV further and suggest big grilles are chargepoint design (Issue 1,723). It’s pointless on ICE cars as well as EVs. taken far too long for a company to How interesting his letter appeared put serious thought into this issue. next to a story on the new BMW Hopefully the key points of the design 7 Series prototype, which I imagine will be adopted by the major players in will have a ghastly front-end design. the industry to help disabled drivers. CUosenftualcts THE following provide help Legal Used car inspections Car registration/history Problems with dealers PT0h3roe4b5Mle2om4to1sr3Ow0mi0thb8umdsamkearns: with motoring problems. AA: 0345 850 1130 (m) ARAAC: 0: 083030001556980074200 HADAVP:LI:A00:8100130303021276293025066184002 0CTowhmo3wen4bws5Mu.ucd2omos4tnemo1srrau3OOnm0mm.0oebb8rrg-uuddssmmaann:: FF0ii8nn0aa0nnc0ciia2al3lOp4mr5ob6bu7ldesmmsan: www.autoexpress.co.uk Some services are free, RCiAtCiz:e0n3s3A0d1vi5c9e C1o4n4s6u(mme)r Technical advice RAC: 0808 164 1923 ARSMscosIotFtc:is.0h0814M35o1t3o30r35T1r4a52d53e100 Swseawrfvweic.tceyh.gecoockvn-.cumekornt.s/recalls others charge a fee or helpline: 03454 040506 AA: 0370 142 0002 (m) ARTrAAaC:f0:fi09c90i06n0f8o38r84m44a43t9i2o92n9 (p) operate on premium-rate Local Trading Standards Driving licences lines (p), while some offer Local Citizens Advice Bureau DVLA: 0300 790 6801 advice for members only (m) SpecialIssue 17

INSIDESTORY >>>P>>>BAPORAIRSRDISE AUXTacklingthemotoringissuesthatmatter WinePefoulgloewoti’ns mthoesttypreowtraecrfkuslopfroodnuecotifotnhecawrorld’s first motor races Tristan Shale-Hester LEG 1> PARIS - TOURS (149 miles) trist@[email protected] THERE’S some debate around what constituted the ZERO EMISSIONS world’s first motor race, but many people believe it Plug-in hybrid tech was the Paris-Bordeaux-Paris event in June 1895. A total meant we were able of 30 vehicles entered, of which 21 qualified and, after to drive through cities more than two days of driving, only nine finished. A using electric power Peugeot driven by Paul Koechlin was crowned the victor, albeit in light of a technicality (see panel, opposite). More than 125 years later, we decided to retrace the route of this landmark race in a modern Peugeot. And not just any Peugeot, our weapon of choice for this quest being the Peugeot 508 SW Peugeot Sport Engineered; with a 355bhp hybrid drivetrain it’s the company’s most powerful production car ever (see panel, page 20). Naturally, we began our journey in Paris, where the punchy 508 easily carved a path through the busy urban streets and carried us out of the French capital over the Pont de Sèvres. Cruising at speeds of up to 130km/h (around 81mph) on the autoroute was no effort for the Peugeot, either, nor was sitting behind the wheel; the interior is classy and there are plenty of driver- assistance features to make life easier. Our first stop on the journey was the city of Blois, which in 1895 had been a place where some drivers swapped over. For us, it was an opportunity to top up the 508’s battery under the shadow of the enormous cathedral in the city’s centre. The majority of the cars used in the 1895 race had petrol engines (a few entrants used steam-powered vehicles), but our hybrid set-up gave us the luxury of being able to switch to EV mode in built-up areas. This made urban driving much smoother, but the plug- in’s short range makes it better suited to shorter trips. At first, we used the car’s charging mode to top up the battery on the move, but the way this made the 508 rev harder spoiled the otherwise impressive refinement, and the range it added didn’t seem worth the cost. As such, we ended up spending the majority of our time on the motorway using primarily petrol power, which – in the Peugeot’s defence – was more than “More than a century later, wroeutdeeocfidtehdistloanrdetmraacrek trhacee in a modern Peugeot” 18 SpecialIssue

INSIDE STORY BHoisrtdoeryauoxf-tPhaeriPsarraisc-e THE Paris-Bordeaux-Paris race in June 1895 required competitors to drive the 732-mile round trip from Paris to Bordeaux and then back to Paris. It followed an 1894 Paris-Rouen event that some argue was an earlier race, but which is not generally considered as such because the winner wasn’t the car that completed the journey quickest. Rather, it was won by “the competitor whose car comes closest to the ideal”, and so it was a concours event rather than a race. The Paris-Bordeaux-Paris wasn’t straightforward in its results, though. Paul Koechlin’s Peugeot was actually the third car to reach the finish line, but those ahead of it were disqualified for being two- seaters, when the race was only for four-seater cars. The car that actually finished first took 48 hours and 48 minutes to complete the trip; the official winner Koechlin in his Peugeot arrived around 11 hours later. Xavier Crespin, boss of the L’Aventure Peugeot heritage museum claimed Peugeot’s win “started the popularity of the car”, adding: “At that time, the industry was a very small, entrepreneurial thing and there were very few real manufacturers.” Peugeot had already made a name for itself as a bicycle maker and no doubt the win strengthened the firm’s reputation and popularity. But Crespin doesn’t believe Peugeot had any marketing savvy in 1895. He actually attributes the invention of PR in the car industry to Citroen, when it entered the market in 1919 with cars that were much more affordable than what other firms were offering. This led to a “revolution”, Crespin says, during which marketing of o m Paul Koechlin’s winning Peugeot Type 7 during the race in 1895 “qOuuerstwweaaspothneoPfecuhgoeicoet 5fo0r8thSiWs Peugeot Sport Engineered” LEG 2> TOURS miles nelluP leinaD UTE Tristan set a course for Tours the sat-nav before we left Paris SpecialIssue 19

INSIDE STORY Paris-Bordeaux-Parisroadtrip SIGHTSEEING We saw lots of fine architecture and drove on the public roads used for the Le Mans 24 Hours race LEG 3> BORDEAUX-TOURS (217 miles) LEG 4>TOURS-PARIS (149 miles) tDshpiesotrirltoliynakgdn-Pogewou-ignhegoow5t0’si8nto adequate. We made another charging stop in the city of PEUGEOT claims to have distilled a wealth of its Poitiers, admiring the grand Palais de Justice while we motorsport knowledge into the 508 Sport Engineered waited, and then headed to our overnight stop in Cognac. road car. To find out more about what this means in The next morning, we reached the halfway point of our light of the brand’s current racing activities, we spoke journey: Bordeaux. We can imagine how arriving in this to François Wales (below), director of Peugeot Sport. beautiful city by car in 1895 must have been a wonderful experience, but it has since become one of the world’s least “Clearly this 508 translates all the know-how and car-friendly cities, plagued with parking restrictions, bollards, the experience of Peugeot Sport’s engineers on narrow one-way systems and masses of roadworks. hybrid and electrified powertrains,” said Wales. Still, we got permission to drive on to the Place de la “What has been put into this car is coming from the experience we had when we developed the 908 Hybrid (Le Mans racer) in 2010-2011. Peugeot unfortunately withdrew from the world championship at that time, but the car was ready and performing very well. “Our aim, of course, is to continue feeding our next sports vehicle project with the know-how we are getting now from the 9X8 project (Peugeot’s new- for-2022 Endurance racer),” Wales explained. The 508 SW Peugeot Sport Engineered combines a 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with two electric motors to produce 355bhp and 520Nm of torque. The brand’s most powerful production car sprints from 0-62mph in 5.2 seconds and has a 155mph top speed. Bourse, after which we headed back in the direction of the French capital. Our next spot of sightseeing was in the commune of Angoulême – more specifically, the Circuit des TOP UP Charging the 508’s 11.5kWh battery gives Remparts, where classic car races are regularly held. an electric range of 26 miles; handy around town Having put the Peugeot in Sport mode and flung it round a few apexed corners, we made our way to a far more famous motorsport destination: Le Mans. Accelerating down the road that makes up the Circuit de la Sarthe’s Mulsanne Straight was a highlight of the trip, as was reaching our last stop before Paris: the stunning Palace of Versailles. With the light fading, we finally made it back to the City of Light, in similar time – although in far more comfort, despite the 508’s stiffened sports suspension – to the 1895 competitors whose steps we had retraced. It was then we discovered one other difference between our journey and that first motor race. The pit stops made 126 years ago often involved a glass or two of champagne. 20 SpecialIssue

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NEWCARS Performance Visit autoexpress.co.uk for the latest new cars and drives 0-62mph/top speed 6.4 seconds/130mph j“iunTsh6te.4ri3gs5eh0ct+oinngtdehtsis,swfkrhoinimcdho0ff-e6ce2alsmr”ph Battery Capacity/range 90kWh/394 miles Mercedes EQE FIRSTDRIVE German brand’s new electric saloon targets Tesla Model Sam Naylor of the Tesla Model S. The EQE feels more screen display that covers the entire dash WITH SUVs taking the spotlight for relaxed, even in its sportiest setting. – but we can’t get it in the UK yet. It might many brands as they turn to EVs, Mercedes There are Eco, Comfort, Sport and appear on upcoming AMG models, but the has become one of the first of the more Individual modes, and our car was fitted 350+ won’t have it. Instead, you get a set-up established marques to look into a more with adaptive suspension, which swaps similar to other models in the Mercedes traditional segment with the new EQE. between comfort and sport settings, but range, with a digital display behind the It’s based on the same platform as the the difference is only small. The stiffer steering wheel and a central touchscreen larger EQS and shares many elements with set-up is noticeable, but even in the comfort that controls most of the car’s functions. the flagship model. This EQE 350+ edition – setting the EQE is well controlled in corners. It all looks very smart, but it’s a shame EQE 350+ is only model offered at launch the only one offered in the UK from launch The Mercedes rides smoothly, too, but there aren’t more physical buttons, because – has a 90kWh battery and a range of up to it’s not completely immune from jolts on changing things like the climate control EQE overall, but the only electrified 394 miles, according to official figures. rougher roads. It’s very compliant over through the screen isn’t entirely intuitive. edition is the plug-in hybrid. Charging is capped at 170kW, so a 10-80 sharp bumps and potholes, though. It is quick to load and responsive, and the The EQE lags behind the E in the per cent charge at a public rapid charger Whether it’s actually as comfortable as, graphicsare high-resolution, though, so it back seats as well. There’s loads of takes just over half an hour. Even this ‘entry- say, an E 220 d will have to wait until feels cutting-edge. Other features from the legroom – even the tallest adults will level’ 350+ model has 288bhp and 565Nm we’ve driven a UK-spec car on UK roads. current Mercedes range, such as augmented- be able to stretch out – but headroom of torque and can go from 0-62mph in 6.4 The interior is a real high point. It’s very reality sat-nav, are available here, too. is more limited. The model we tried seconds, which feels right in this kind of car. well made, uses high-quality materials and The EQE is a saloon, so the rear window was fitted with a sunroof, and we You get the sense that the brand’s features some very comfortable seats. It is fixed and there’s a small boot lid with 430 found that adults brush their head engineers have spent more time focussing looks great and there’s no contest next to litres of space underneath. That’s less than against it. The middle rear seat is only on comfort and refinement than outright a Tesla’s sparse cabin – the Mercedes is you get in a Tesla Model S, and both the good for kids, because of its high-set performance, because you don’t get the where you’d want to spend your time. opening and the boot itself are quite narrow, position and the compromised rear same kickwhen you press the accelerator as The EQE is available with the Hyperscreen so the EQE isn’t quite as practical as its main headroom. Rear visibility could also be you do in even the least powerful versions found in the EQS – a 1.4m-wide triple- rival. An E-Class is much roomier than the better due to that swooping body shape. 22 SpecialIssue www.autoexpress.co.uk

ASTON DBX707 SPORTAGE PHEV 28 MAZDAMX-5 Series of subtle updates 24 Performanceversion of 26 NewKiaSUVrangeis maintains the appeal of SUV balances pace with bolstered by addition iconic sports car comfort and usability of plug-in hybrid mode Essentials PsSamlUniRogdVshAttwthlpCyiarlTlatlibmcIwtCeiiictlAjleaopdlLinreIsoilTnpevgaciYdtcrteeihNcgemacrraeMeraroa.etwnHercrotebhcwdoeaeeorsErvtyQeroiarEnp,ngeaigsnncneia’nEtspgQotahEoaceninty,d sCriinseuOsontthMnrroielcyotFreferOdefaiartR–tleslyTepdasa–Tutrshtiit,aecabnurbeudlla’setrthhlnfyoeeoroahsdnchihrgmooihlord-otmsradeegentielsscoerwafnttlihetrheegrrstohmeoeaomtre sIh(thbNeigeet-Thluoc-EapwcblRa)firnsIofsoOmilsmlRoaEawQntWseSEriotQiwahtEhlosietnhsar’itgneMhbdxeelcicergocolhslmfetf,.enfbDrotuerabdttsauHhobilyndllepa3eqys5roues0uaac+tlrtiesty,e,n AMMerGceLdinees EQE 350+ Price: £76,450 Batt./motor: 90kWh battery, 1x e-motor Power/torque: 288bhp/565Nm Transmission: Sreianrg-lweh-sepeeleddriaveutomatic, 0-62mph: 6.4 seconds Top speed: 130mph Range: 394 miles (WLTP) Charging: 170kW (10-80% 32min) ONSALE Now iitssainsrtemearoilooaErttQh(traElayb,rcoitadivnoeedns) Verdict THE EQE is more luxurious, far better- built and just as good to drive as a Tesla ModelS. It has lots of range, too, and while charging speeds could be better, there aren’t many places in the UK where you can top up faster than 170kW anyway. It’s only let down by its practicality, where it trails not only the Tesla, but also its combustion- engined sibling, the E-Class. Still, the entry-level EQE is far more affordable than even the cheapestModelSand is excellent in the most important areas to EV buyers: range, comfort and tech.  SpecialIssue 23

NEW CARS AstonMartinDBX707 tooopTzh-aleecinnseT7ednq0Otuhar7eai’sdrKlecieNitosNnyifnEtgiOewnsnEroiiWiesotDlhhder Essentials PastaRgnreAdaaCtrTddrIciCvaiArnigLnpI7To0sY7itfioDornBmXa.siNswejuweslltsaapssorcutossmasbfeolaerttsawsohftfhieleer EpgelQennUetryaIPtoiofMnteEMchNenrToceloAdgseytsooninn’sfooDtfaBfeiXnr7.m0Be7ensutisd,eebssu,tp7rt0he7veiroiesu’ss- Aston Aston Martin DBX707 glurxipupriionugsymouatienripallasceth;actafbeienlitsotpricmlamssed with wallhaicbhoiuttctohmebpineerfsortomgarnecaetaenffdecittswcihthascsoism,fort FIRSTDRIVE Bonkers Price: £190,000 Engine: 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol Steve Sutcliffe Power/torque: 697bhp/900Nm [email protected] Transmission: Nine-speed automatic, THE world almost certainly doesn’t need a new 697bhp, £190,000 version four-wheel drive of the already exclusive Aston Martin DBX. 0-62mph: 3.3 seconds But as the popularity of the über-fast SUV Top speed: 193mph grows – hence rivals announced from both Economy: 19.9mpg Ferrari and Lotus, to name but two – Aston Martin has elevated the DBX to the top of a CO2: 323g/km very tall tree with this ‘707’ model. That figure is the car’s power output in PS, ONSALE Now and means it’s the fastest production SUV money can buy, with a top speed of 193mph. Sharp new design philosophy of the 707 is most apparent from the rear; other SUVs will be left with this view much of the time Given that it also weighs a fair bit less than 24 SpecialIssue its competition – the Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT and the Lamborghini Urus – it’s hardly surprising that Aston Martin claims such monumental performance for the 707. Thanks to the combined effects of launch control, a revised nine-speed automatic gearbox and 900Nm of torque, the 0-62mph is a vaguely surreal 3.3 seconds. Crazier still, it takes just 7.4 seconds for the 2,245kg DBX707 to reach 100mph from standstill. To contain such vast increases in power, potency and performance, Aston’s chassis engineers have had to work frantically to keep up; but keep up they have, revising most of the hardware beneath the 707’s dramatic new skin. There’s a new e-diff, dampers, bigger carbon-ceramic brakes and www.autoexpress.co.uk

NEW CARSAstonMartinDBX707 TO KNNEOEWD buDItamB’sanXpagand7eglec0lnrrhwe7moaussnfaanseedtinkavcdidhteseuepermrgsdoerrioeigsilblaernlaeeyrr. Martin DBX707 “The 707 is nutcase uqnutchiocikms,ibspunrotomatsaisahinlaugrxdhu-orrytidrSionUdgV”, SUV offers real-world usability and comfort with style Running costs 19.9mpg (official) £142 fill-up Performance 0-62mph/top speed 3.3 seconds/193mph Aston has eschewed its traditional flowing lines, in favour of a more rakish profile to emphasise the 707’s performance credentials Verdict a wider track at the rear, as well as fully interaction with the car. Although to be potency with effortless ease. The 707 might ASTON Martin claims that the new revised software that controls it all. honest, it is difficult, if not impossible, be nutcase-quick, but it’s not a hard-riding, DBX707 is “the supercar of SUVs”. It really is some piece of work, all of to get your head round just how uncompromising hot rod. In fact, the rear It’s not wrong. With 697bhp and which would amount to not much if the explosively fast this car feels the first suspension is a touch softer than in the 900Nm of torque, the 2.2-tonne, whole thing didn’t also look right on the time you deploy the throttle hard. regular DBX, so even in Sport+ the ride 193mph 707 is a true leviathan road. But with a dramatically more rakish The sound that erupts out of the remains soothingly calm, the damping when it comes to the numbers profile with the addition of a big diffuser tailpipes is magnificent, but it’s not excellent in both its comfort and control. game. Yet it balances this with and a more aggressive grille, it does. ridiculously loud; not even in Sport+ It’s quite spooky to discover just how comfort, composure and an ease Inside, it has fantastic new sports seats, mode. Yet the way you are squeezed into wide the 707’s dynamic repertoire is, given of use that many rivals can’t match. plus a redesigned centre console that’s far the seat and the horizon then rushes how rapid it is, and that’s probably the It won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, more intuitive than you might imagine. towards the windscreen is genuinely biggest distinction it has above more but in the rarified world of the Unlike some rivals, the start-up procedure extraordinary. The amazing thing is, the obvious rivals. If you could afford it, you ultra-rapid luxury SUV, they don’t doesn’t deliver an almighty burst of revs. chassis, steering, brakes and revised could easily live with a 707 every day, with come any better than the new Instead, the 707’s heavily modified twin- suspension can all deal with the extra few compromises on comfort and usability. DBX707. Even at £190,000. turbo V8 merely begins running, before “isTmheasgonuifnicdetnhta, bt eurtunpottsroiduitcouflotuhselytaloilupdip”es settling to a smooth idle in default GT mode.  There are three main drive modes: the SpecialIssue 25 aforementioned GT, Sport and Sport+, again a sign that Aston has simplified the www.autoexpress.co.uk

NEWCARS KiaSportagePHEV Kia Sportage PHEV FIRSTDRIVE Plug-in model bolsters new SUV line-up Performance Running costs 256.0mpg (official) 0-62mph/top speed £68 fill-up 8.2 seconds/119mph SpeofdfritrcaiivegenecoPyvH,ebEruVpteftathrveoolrueirdnsegeiilnseefcitfrromicr James Brodie way for taxpayers to save thousands of switches between the two, but prioritises Jam@[email protected] pounds by choosing the Kia. electric drive as often as possible. Eco We’re driving the plug-in Sportage in top- and Sport modes are offered as well, and IN February, the Kia Sportage was the spec and sporty-looking GT-Line S trim here, the four-wheel-drive Sportage PHEV has most popular new car in Britain, and which is the most expensive model in the settings for tackling different terrain. Kia topped the sales charts for the first time range at £43,795. The plug-in technology Eco is what you roll away in, silently on after 31 years in the UK market. In 2021 the is offered across a broad range of trim lines the electric motor, while we saw 37 miles of Sportage was Britain’s third most popular though, and it starts from £39,595 in the range for our test car’s fully charged battery. SUV, and when we tried this new fifth- Sportage’s mid-range ‘3’ guise. Kia’s plug-in set-up feels natural for this generation version for the first time, we The system uses a 1.6-litre turbocharged SUV, and it’s a solid enough cruiser. hailed it as “the best Sportage yet”. four-cylinder petrol engine, an electric motor Despite its large proportions – the Lofty expectations are set, then, and and a 13.8kWh battery pack, which combine Sportage is bigger than a Tucson – wind as part of the latest model’s powertrain to develop maximum power of 261bhp with noise is well suppressed and the hybrid selection – which also incorporates petrol, 350Nm of torque.Thistranslatesto 0-62mph system is smooth when switching diesel, mild-hybrid and full-hybrid options in 8.2 seconds and a top speed of 119mph. between its power sources. On the – there’s the company car tax-friendly More importantly, Kia claims 256mpg for motorway it’s serene, and it can even plug-in hybrid driven here. its most heavily electrified Sportage. run there on electric power alone. On paper, the Sportage PHEV is off to There are EV and Hybrid drive modes plus You’re never rushed when a strong start. There’s an official EV range a third setting labelled Automatic, which driving the Sportage PHEV, so the of 43 mintiloesth, ewehiiglehCt-Ope2recmeinstsBioennseofift-2in5-gK/inkdm “On the motorway the Sportage is serene, put it and it can run there on electric power alone” tax band for 2022/23. In comparison, the similarly powered Hyundai Tucson PHEV faces a 12-per cent levy, which paves the 26 SpecialIssue

Essentials NEW CARSKia Sportage PHEV GKiTa-SLipnoerStaPgHeE1V.6ATW-GDDi Price: £43,795 Engine: 1.6-litre 4cyl turbo petrol, electric motor Power/torque: 251bhp/350Nm Transmission: Six-speed automatic, four-wheel drive 0-62mph: 8.2 seconds Top speed: 119mph Economy/CO2: 256mpg/25g/km Electric range: 43 miles ONSALE Now aapEranlQupndsagUrenseI-ouatProerapdM(mtpehiiEcenaNgnrfordoGTonTlfe,-LtLsahuitexnahuareeertreSyvduettpornsihumetioclaahlitstnseetcsedflrru,ooydtnnoeto), TtNS1swoh0tefOaafeE0venr,eErrS0dKaenpD0adnNo0yrtdarye-OtmsaawisrWgi/ileteh aaPpwnsaiRtcdshkAtraa1eCgn9aed-TriantIbhrcCudhaAmtaaLapsllleIosprToyasYrwiatnnohcGdlfeTue-aadLlesisnn,speeworweSrhtviigiiecssrhrielfeldicetxotfetmredoreniotr Sport mode feels a little unnecessary, high with all of the brand’s latest Verdict especially given that it does little to technologies and creature comforts. improve the car’s performance or add IT’S a £40,000 Kia, but it feels like an element of excitement. As you get in, you’re presented with two the Sportage PHEV can wear that 12.3-inch digital displays that look after price tag comfortably. It’s a strong The steering matches this mood: it’s not the instrumentation and infotainment. contender for company car users, particularly sharp or well weighted. Get into A touch-sensitive strip below the middle and the Sportage PHEV showcases the swing of things and allow the hybrid screen is used to operate the climate everything that Kia is doing right powertrain to do its thing uninterrupted, controls, but hit a button, and a row of at the moment. There is a strong and effortless fuel economy is the result: infotainment shortcuts will appear instead. combination of impressive hybrid we rattled off a claim of 87mpg from the technology, great build quality trip computer without trying too much. The material quality is a sign of just how and decent value for money. It’ll far Kia has developed as a manufacturer, work out as very economical, too, The Sportage’s ride, however, could be too. At hand height there’s liberal use of as long as you keep it recharged. a little better. We have previously tried the soft-touch plastics, and overall the PHEV version of the Sportage on adaptive Sportage is a pleasant place to sit.  dampers not offered in the UK. The passive set-up that us Brits get isn’t outstanding Room inside is a strong point, too, SpecialIssue 27 over bad surfaces, and the 19-inch wheels and rear passengers will only miss out on probably don’t help in this regard, but it’s a little foot space, with the floor raised to not so firm as to be off-putting. accommodate the hybrid running gear. This does have an effect on boot space, though, Perhaps many buyers will be tempted to which is 40 litres down on non plug-in reach out for one of the Sportage’s loftier hybrid versions of the Sportage. It’s still specifications, given the level of standard a decent 540 litres however, with a low equipment on offer. It’s absolutely piled loading edge that runs flat to the boot floor.

NEWCARS MazdaMX-5 opSeimraptelsedercooononefd-mshaetocnhdraaenidsiesamnodrclatoanwkbeeesr “TheMX-5 is easyto drive qesupicekcliyaallyndwaithlotthoefrfouonf, d Sean Carson into the passenger compartment, but you nearly seven years the MX-5 cabin is [email protected] do get jostled around in your seat a little, starting to look and feel dated. Mazda while there is a small amount of flex from WE Brits love convertibles. Despite the the bodyshell, especially over patchy roads. It’s not down to quality – after all, FIRSTDRIVE Updates h decidedly dodgy climate that often simple plastics and other materials help brings inclement weather, there’s a certain We’re actually glad that Mazda hasn’t keep the price down to £27,055 for this Essentials section of the motoring public that loves eradicated roll altogether, because this Sport-spec car. Instead, we’d have liked convertible cars and to get the roof down. gives a sense of communication with the to have seen Mazda’s latest infotainment Mazda MX-5 1.5 Sport With the recent spell of sunshine however, chassis and relays just how much grip set-up from the 3 hatchback and revised Price: £27,055 it seems that spring has sprung, so what there is on offer. And when the MX-5 is CX-5 SUV introduced here. Engine: 1.5-litre 4cyl petrol better time to test Mazda’s new-for-2022 approaching the limit, it’s clearly Power/torque: 130bhp/152Nm MX-5 in affordable 1.5-litre Sport form? communicated and rather softly defined. In other areas, the car still scores well, Transmission: Sreixa-rs-wpeheedelmdarinveual, The alterations for this update aren’t all The MX-5 is easy to drive quickly and a lot thanks to the philosophy of lightweight that extensive, but then the old adage of ‘if of fun, especially with the roof down, which engineering. Fuel economy stands at a 0-62mph: 8.3 seconds it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ rings true here. in this soft-top model is quickly dropped claimed 44.8mpg, which we achieved on Top speed: 127mph Mazda has added a system called manually with the simple flick of a catch. our test, so it’s efficient and should be Economy: 44.8mpg Kinematic Posture Control (KPC) that is cheap to run for a sports car. designed to improve cornering stability With 130bhp and just 152Nm of CO2: 142g/km without impacting the car’s purity. It torque produced relatively high up the It also gets a decent amount of kit, does so by applying a small amount of rev range at 4,500rpm, the MX-5’s motor with sat-nav (albeit compromised as ONSALE Now braking force to the inside rear wheel does need working, but it’s connected to a mentioned), Apple CarPlay and Android in corners to not only help tie the beautiful six-speed manual gearbox that Auto, 16-inch alloys, heated leather seats, body down, but also turn the car. offers such a positive shift action, it’s a cruise control, lane-departure warning, In reality, it’s hard to feel the system joy to use. But weighing in at only 1,107kg climate control and automatic LED lights. working. The softer set-up of this 1.5-litre the MX-5 is still surprisingly fast, springing model means there is still noticeable roll, from 0-62mph in 8.3 seconds. The rasp Practicality isn’t a strong point, especially at a faster pace, but there is and gentle vibrations from the naturally however. Even as a two-seater a sense that the chassis is more aspirated engine – and the wind there’s only 130 litres of boot space. predictable in its reaction to bumps in in your hair – make it feel faster. bends, or when loaded up in a corner. The steering is direct and well weighted, This MY22 car represents the Japanese while the ride is best described as philosophy of constant improvement, communicative; big bumps don’t thump and while the rake and reach-adjustable up through the springs and dampers and steering wheel helps find an acceptable 28 SpecialIssue driving position in the cramped cabin (which hasn’t always been so easy in past versions), having been on sale for

MazdaMX-5 NEWCARS own” Running costs 44.8mpg (official) MX-5 Sport £73 fill-up elp to maintain compact roadster’s appeal Performance 0-62mph/top speed 8.3 seconds/127mph imPtsReaaAgnesCaTthnIedCMAhaXLs-I5aTilsYwnaCiycaesbfaiennltdisscmsotamalrlpt,ianbcgutt.totThhsieshoawlso oEhpeQatiUtoendIPbsuMetasEtstiNlalTngdeStaspnothritneftorkitimtaiyniosmua’edmnwtosaryenstat,efifnmocrlduadbinleg EafintQtdeUdaIbaPssoMsrtbaEennNdtaTfrodWrtahitehspM1o6Xr-t-isn5c’csharria,dlheloeiylspwefadhireblyeylssaoft Verdict tehvaetnoifffethrseAspept-luepCdaorPelsayfeceolmdaptaetdibniloitwy, lsoywstekmerbthweereigihst.sHtilolwnoetviecer,adbelespriotell ninewcorKnPeCrs kbnuot citk’s-osntilelfufescatbilseaensmouagllh1f3o0r-tlwitroe pbeooopt,le SUBTLE updates to the MX-5 have kept the roadster appealing in an www.autoexpress.co.uk increasingly small class. But at this time of year the Mazda comes into its own, offering sweet, now- improved driving dynamics, a characterful powertrain and a genuinely enjoyable ride and handling balance; it’s exploitable at sensible speeds on the road. However, the infotainment and interior are now showing their age.  SpecialIssue 29

Ultimate guide to caravans and CARAVANING SPECIAL carUatvlotaiwmncsaa,tmresogatunoidrdhekoittmoes, TCHAERABVAA kSnuomwmbeer’fsocroemheinagd,ianngdtohetrhee’sgarlel yaot uountedeodotros HOW TO CHOOSE A CARAVAN WITH an incredible number of options out there, Stuart Milne CONTENTS ranging from modest £500 used examples to brand- [email protected] new, six-figure wonders, choosing the right caravan CARAVANNING is back. Along with camper vans Guide to caravans might seem like an impossible task. However, it’s easy and motorhomes, there’s been a resurgence in enough to narrow things down by examining your people taking to the road to discover new and much- Choosing your ideal caravan Page 32 needs and deciding how much you’re willing to spend. loved destinations. It’s not hard to see why; being Once you’ve settled on a budget, consider how many locked down and stuck indoors for months at a time Guide to towing people the caravan needs to sleep. Then, think about has led to renewed interest in the great outdoors. the layout that best suits your needs. Many websites With 385,000 households currently signed up, Training - what’s involved? Page 44 for new and used caravans will let you search based the Caravan and Motorhome Club is now enjoying on criteria like kitchen and bathroom location and bed record membership numbers, and this year’s Best towcars named types, such as fixed bunks or drop-down beds. Caravan, Camping and Motorhome show in February You’ll need to double-check the towing capacity attracted a 100,000-strong sell-out crowd. Top picks from the experts Page 46 of your car and its kerbweight. The ‘85 per cent rule’ Interested in taking the plunge? Over the next that you may hear about refers to guidance suggesting 24 pages we’ve covered the absolute basics of Choosing a motorhome the laden weight of the caravan should be no more caravanning and the kit you’ll need, plus learning to than 85 per cent of the towcar’s kerbweight. tow and what to tow with. We’ve highlighted the very Everything to consider Page 52 Annual servicing costs are often based on the best new and used caravans, and we’ve recommended number of axles a caravan has. Most caravans are campsites across the length and breadth of the UK. Guide to motorhomes single-axle, while larger caravans use a twin-axle If you’re hungry for more, we recommend you join set-up. Vast tri-axle caravans are rare in the UK. the Caravan and Motorhome Club, which has helped We name best camper vans Page 54 “In the UK, towing speed limits are us to produce this guide. It provides access to a huge 50mph on single carriageways and network of high-quality sites, with member discounts Where to stay 60mph on dual carriageways” and expert advice. Visit camc.com for more information. The top 20 sites in the UK Page 56 www.autoexpress.co.uk Essential kit Don’t leave home without it Page 58 30 SpecialIssue

towcars - The basics FIELD OF DREAMS Jargon buster Getting there needs A-FRAME: The triangular-shaped protrusion preparation and f(sroeme baecloarwa)vaanndththaet ctaorwriiensgthhietcjhockey wheel investing in the aBEcaRraTvHaSn:oBremdos/tothrheonmume cbaenr oafccoocmcumpaondtaste right equipment CASSETTE: A tank for a chemical toilet that can be removed and emptied ASNICNSING:gCfraeerteatdivnoagnmss,taasnartdyesdmMopatrtootrpRheoormblyienisssoocnrffu,ecbriuartleal CDP: Chemical disposal point – where a THE LAW TOWING WITH AN EV chemical toilet’s cassette can be emptied WITH many electric cars packing impressive torque figures that are fCroOmRNthEeRcoSrTnEerAsDoIfEthSe: Fcoaurarvleagnstothkaetewpinitdstdaobwlen IN December 2021, the UK’s rules on instantly delivered, in a sense EVs are ideal for towing, but they’re CRIS: The UK’s national register of caravans towing changed. Now, anyone with a full not without their problems. Firstly, not all EVs are Type Approved to aDwINayEtToTcEr:eaAtteaablseleaenpdincghaairresathwahtecnannobteinfouldseed UK driving licence issued after 1 January tow, meaning fitting a tow bar could invalidate your warranty and aGnRdEsYhoWwAerTdErRai:nWsaste water from the sink 1997 is permitted to tow trailers and insurance, so check the situation before you commit. If a car can HARDSTANDING: A kind of campsite pitch caravans weighing up to 3,500kg (MAM) be specified with an optional towbar, you’re on safer ground. gwriathssa, em.go.repewbebaltehser-resistant surface than without having to take an extra test. pHiOtcOhKthUaPt c:aAnnbeeleccotnrincaelcpteodinttooynouarccaamrapvsaitne However, for drivers with a licence issued Then there’s the issue of range: even towing a lighter caravan JOCKEY WHEEL: A small wheel that helps before 1997, the rules remain the same can reduce an EV’s range by half. With anything over 300 miles when manoeuvring the hitch onto the tow ball as before – they are generally allowed to deemed impressive for an EV right now, such a big dent could LEISURE BATTERY: A 12-volt battery used tow trailers and caravans weighing up to prove very limiting. Towing has a drastic effect on the efficiency to power a caravan’s various features 8,250kg (MAM). Before you start towing, of combustion-powered tow vehicles, too, but when you need iMntAeMrch: aMnagxeiambulemwAiuththMorTiPsLeMd M(baeslsow–) you should checkyour licence to ensure to fill up with fuel, pulling into many petrol stations is easy; you wMeIiRgOht:iMnathsseimnaRnuunfnaicntgurOerr’dsesrt–anthdearcdasrapveacn’s that your outfit is within the law. may need to unhitch your caravan to charge your EV. MTPLM: Maximum Technically Permissible Laden Mass – a weight figure that your caravan A vehicle’s towing weight limit must If you tend to stick closer to home when camping, an EV will do awnhdilealiltt’shebeeiqnugiptomweendt onboard must not exceed also be adhered to, and a driver needs to the job just as well as a combustion car, if not better. You can go NOSEWEIGHT: The weight of your caravan be able to see four metres on either side further afield, but be aware of the extra complexities involved. and its contents on the tow ball of the towed caravan and 20 metres OUTFIT: The caravan and the vehicle behind. To do this, you’ll almost certainly towing it combined need to invest in mirror extensions. aPtITaCcaHm:pWshiteeretoysotuaypathrkeynoiguhr tcaravan mSNadAeKbINy tGh:eAcnaruanvsatna,bsleomsiedteim-toe-sscidaeusmeodvbeymweinntd The caravan’s number plate needs to TOURING: Used to differentiate towed caravans match that of the car towing it, and the fforormbostthattiocwoendesc.aIrtaavlasnosraenfedrsmtootpoirthcohmesessuitable law says that it must be lit after dark while the caravan is being towed. Finally, in the Which caravan should you buy? UK, the speed limits when towing are 50mph on single-carriageway roads, SpecialIssue 31 and 60mph on dual carriageways. www.autoexpress.co.uk

Ultimate guide to caravans and GUIDE TO CARAVANS Over the next 12 pages we LIGHTWEIGHT & COMPACT pdfoiifcrfkeervoeeunrtyttfhbeeuadtbugeresetts, caanrdavwanitsh Adria Action 361 LT From: £21,475 Berths: 2 Mark Sutcliffe PROS: Unique design, lightweight simplicity THE great staycation summers of 2020 and 2021 and surprisingly prompted millions of Brits to beg, borrow or steal a practical for two. caravan to grab a couple of much-needed weeks away. CONS: Spartan equipment levels, Many holidaymakers will be making a dash overseas narrow single beds, now that pandemic travel restrictions have been eased. tight headroom However, buoyant demand for peak-season campsite in the lounge. pitches and second-hand caravans suggests that many first-time caravanners enjoyed the independence and THE cute little Action was a groundbreaking caravan that flexibility that a touring holiday offers, and plan to do it single-handedly created the compact caravan class 15 years again thissummer.So, ifyou’re among the growing ranks ago. Its unique styling remains eye-catching and its low of the ‘caravan curious’ considering a purchase in time weight and aerodynamics will become increasingly for the greatsummer getaway, whatare the bestoptions? important as electric towcars become more mainstream. Do you want a comfortable fixed bed that doesn’t Inside, there’s a cosy lounge that converts into a pair require wrestling with a bunch of cushions and sheets of fairly narrow twin singles or a huge double bed. At the at the end of the day? Or is a space-efficient multi-berth rear, there’s a kitchen and a corner washroom with WC layout a priority – with plenty of room for the kids to bunk and shower. Weighing in at less than a tonne unladen, down while you kick back and relax in front of the TV? the Action has a payload of up to 300kg and there’s gas heating and electric lighting for year-round adventures. We’ve compiled a list of the most popular caravans at various prices to guide you, but first a caveat: caravan The Action broke the mould on its UK debut in 2008 and manufacturers are facing similar supply-chain challenges while the niche has expanded with the arrival of newcomers to the automotive sector, so expect to encounter long from Swift and Knaus, the littlest Adria can still hold its own. lead times when purchasing a new caravan. As with any major purchase, do your research, shop around and try to work out which layout will work for your requirements before taking the plunge. a“‘cTahpreuarvrecah’nsaasceugrfriooourwsti’nhcgeonsrausnimdkemoriefnrgt”he ACTIVE Swift Basecamp 4 Simple layout is designed for From: £24,495 Berths: 4 those wanting CLEVERLY packaged with some neat innovations to maximise practicality, the a base they can Basecamp 4 is for the next generation of active tourers for whom a caravan is use to go out a passport to outdoor adventures rather than a country cottage on wheels. on adventures Under the funky decals and front mouldings, the Basecamp has a fairly standard lightweight multi-berth tourer layout. There’s parallel seating in the front lounge, converting to a large double bed with a pair of bunks for the kids at the back. The washroom and kitchen are basic and there are few frills. The main difference from a more conventional caravan is the back door, making it easier to use as a covered trailer for transporting bikes, boards or compact kayaks. PROS: Looks the part and is light enough to tow with a modest family hatchback. CONS: You could buy a much more comfortable and roomier conventional caravan for the money. www.autoexpress.co.uk

towcars - Caravans ACCESS Contemporary design looks smart, while the rear door boosts versatility Knaus Sport&Fun Black Edition From: £26,090 Berths: 4 THE Sport&Fun has been around for a few Black Edition and its subdued colour spartan competitors. With room for a PROS: Comfortable and years, and while it was always a practical scheme, this compact tourer just got cool. whole fleet of surfboards on the integrated practical in equal measure. weekend getaway vehicle for active couples roof rack, two double beds, loads of storage CONS: Pricey – but not as pricey and families, the textured body panels and A large garage under the front bed and and a clever shower system, the Sport&Fun as the most basic campervan with garish colours were always a bit ‘late 80s’. a full-height rear door mean the Sport&Fun is a better equipped and roomier alternative more generous accommodation. But with the arrival of the more restrained is a practical load lugger, yet it remains to the ubiquitous campervan. comfortable in comparison with its more CLEVER Smart layout and included awning boost this unit’s versatility Bailey Discovery D4-2 From: £18,999 Berths: 2 IT looks like a conventional caravan, only fairly basic two-berth, but the addition of a that doesn’t weigh much more than a trailer PROS: Lightweight, clever smaller, but the Bailey Discovery D4-2 ticks £1,200 inflatable wraparound awning pretty tent. This combination of lightweight, design integration with pretty much all the boxes of its ‘cooler’ much doubles the living space on offer. compact, hybrid caravan/tent technology is awning, bargain price tag. compact rivals, while offering superior CONS: Not as ‘cool’ as some accommodation and lightweight touring The Discovery’s unique curved body likely to become more prevalent for families of its showier rivals. at an eye-catching price. Ostensibly it’s a makes this possible – creating room for a who can’t justify the expense of running a family of four in a super-lightweight caravan large SUV to tow a big family van. SpecialIssue 33 www.autoexpress.co.uk

Ultimate guide to caravans and Eriba Touring 530 Ocean Drive From: £26,200 Berths: 3 THE Eriba Touring is an authentic tourer is built to last, and it has cosy by conventional standards. In STYLE PROS: Stylish design icon that’s caravanning icon, and the bold retro certainly stood the test of time. southern Europe, the Eriba’s fabric Retro looks hold built to last and will retain its value. colours of the Ocean Drive hark back The pop-top makes it more pop-top offers welcome ventilation appeal, but pop- CONS: Cosy accommodation to the genesis of the original Eriba aerodynamic to tow and easier during the heat of the day, but on top roof leaves that’s effectively restricted to concept back in the 1950s. to store, and it’s equipped with a a breezy British seaside site at interior open spring and summer touring. The unique spaceframe washroom and basic kitchen, but Easter, the open-air ambience to the elements construction means this compact the accommodation is decidedly will be less welcome. TARDIS Adding a drop- down bed in the roof means there’s space to fit more kit into this compact unit Weinsberg CaraOne 390 From: £21,690 Berths: 4 HOW on earth do you squeeze four berths, serves as a U-shaped wraparound lounge German standards, there’s a compact PROS: Couples can sleep in the drop- a washroom, kitchen and lounge into such a during the daytime, when the drop-down washroom in the corner and an end down bed without having to convert compact caravan?This innovative new arrival bed is retracted into the roof. kitchen with all the kit you need – including the lounge into a bed for the night. on the UK market uses drop-down roof bed a 133-litre tower fridge. The CaraOne CONS: Payload and storage are low technology first deployed in motorhomes to It’s a clever solution, which means tips the scales at 1,184kg – which for genuine multi-berth practicality. create two double beds in the space that there’s an awful lot crammed into this tiny includes a useful payload of 184kg. but stylish touring caravan. Built to exacting www.autoexpress.co.uk 34 SpecialIssue

towcars - Caravans Xplore 422 From: £17,544 Berths: 2 THE Xplore 422 is a classic lightweight two-berth caravan with a superbly space- efficient layout that delivers everything a couple needs for comfortable touring. It’s lightweight and easy to tow with a modest hatchback, and has a price tag that looks incredibly good value for money in the current climate. The end kitchen layout maximises the living accommodation in the front lounge, which converts to a roomy transverse double bed. The £500 SE pack enhances the standard spec to match its direct rivals, while a towing stabiliser and extractor fan above the kitchen – both of which you’d probably want – add another £500. The 422 is a bright and breezy entry- level van that makes excellent use of space on a narrower body and means touring is accessible to couples at an attractive price and weight. PROS: A comfortable couple’s van that TRADITIONAL The 422 offers plenty of represents excellent value for money – space for two people within a relatively but you’d want the £500 SE pack. compact yet traditional caravan shape CONS: Front settees are too short to use as twin single beds. LAYOUT Teardrop design is packed tight for four, but aerodynamic shape will be a boon for EV drivers T@B L400 TD From: £22,080 Berths: 4 AN instant classic when it was launched in for towing with an EV, and the four-berth there’s also space for a kitchen and PROS: Super-cool, funky and light 2004, the T@B Teardrop caravan is enjoying T@B L400 is extremely bijou and cleverly enclosed washroom, but precious little enough to tow with a supermini or EV. a surge in interest at the moment due to its packaged. It includes an oblique rear dinette space for anything else. As a two-berth, CONS: Space is at a premium, and add super-streamlined aerodynamic shape. that maximises space without obstructing it kind of works, but realistically, it’s only a few basic options like proper gas and This and the caravan’s modest 1,200kg the entrance door and there’s a fixed a very occasional four-berth to share with electrics, and the price breaks £25k. weight when laden make it an ideal partner transverse double bed up front. Somehow people you know really well. SpecialIssue 35 www.autoexpress.co.uk

Ultimate guide to caravans and MID-PRICE AND FAMILY PROS: Compact, lightweight and aerodynamic – the perfect caravan for the electric era. High-quality build and good finish. Low-profile design looks great. CONS: It’s always going to be very cosy with four or five on board, but it’s ideal for active families who spend most of their time outdoors. Headroom is restricted in areas Eriba Feeling 470 the most significant drain on an EV’s optional battery at motorway speeds. bed pack is From: £20,880 Berths: Up to 5 THE Feeling has been around for more Given the caravan’s compact footprint, At just than a decade and with the predicted space inside is always going to be at a is also easy t increase in caravanners wanting to tow premium, but this super-flexible layout fuel-efficient with an EV, the streamlined Eriba could works for couples and active families, can be store be poised to find its forte. The pop-top and it can accommodate up to five if the or in a stand roof significantly reduces the frontal area when you’re towing, which cuts drag – Adria Adora Seine separate shower and a pair of fixed single century, while the interior styling is PROS: Lightweight, clever design beds, which could be used by adults or contemporary European, and more integration with awning, bargain price. From: £29,495 Berths: 4 children, leaving the lounge free for mum fashion-forward than many UK offerings. CONS: Arguably not as ‘cool’ as some ANOTHER innovative layout from Adria, and dad after the kids have gone to bed. The huge panoramic front window and of its showier rivals. the Adora Seine offers flexible, family- sunroof lend a really spacious, airy vibe friendly accommodation on a lightweight The smooth exterior design from the to the open-plan lounge. www.autoexpress.co.uk 7ft 6in single-axle 1,550kg chassis that Slovenian manufacturer feels very 21st can be towed by a fairly modest family car. There’s a roomy end washroom with 36 SpecialIssue

towcars - Caravans Bailey Unicorn Seville PROS: Generous level of standard equipment with the From: £28,199 Berths: 2 latest connectivity options THIS classic touring layout has been readily available. Space- around for decades – and with good efficient lightweight layout. reason. Dispensing with a fixed bed keeps Outstanding washroom. the footprint as compact as possible and CONS: The main bed needs makes the most of the space available to making up before turning in create a lightweight, easy-to-tow caravan for the night. No concessions with an outstanding washroom. The Seville to multi-berth flexibility. is focused on the core with no concessions t and with an all-up we be towed by a compact The roomy lounge h and the wonderful end equipped kitchen are d sufficiency – allowing c like to get away from it comfort on remote sit facilities off the beaten Coachman VIP 460 From: £30,640 Berths: 2 THIS is an out and out couple’s caravan PROS: Lightweight luxury for with a good standard specification that can adventurous couples who like be easily towed by a modest towcar. It’s to expand their horizons. very much at home exploring the roads less Excellent washroom. travelled and overnighting at remote sites CONS: Enhanced connectivity with only the bare essentials. The layout is identical to the Baile Unicorn Seville’s (above), sportin end washroom and a space-efficient lounge, which converts into a large bed or twin singles. The standard e includes programmable central he a wireless phone charging station, the options list runs to a solar panel, DAB radio and 4G internet. To take the stress out of pitching up after a long drive, a self-levelling system will get the caravan level on the pitch for an extra £3,450. Elddis Avante 454 PROS: Great value for money. Lightweight fixed-bed From: £22,344 Berths: 2 tourer with good standard spec for the price. Roomy and THE Avante 454 takes a different approach comfortable L-shaped lounge. to delivering a couple’s lightweight touring CONS: Lacks some of the caravan by dispensing with the large end modern connectivity provided washroom and replacing it with a by more expensive rivals. transverse island bed that doesn’t require Layout means washroom is making up before bedtime. Inevitably, this relatively cramped. means there’s less room for ablutions, but for caravanners who prefer to stay on larger SpecialIssue 37 sites with comprehensive faci not too much of a worry. The 454 also sports an L- which is great for informal ent perhaps less well suited to d friends. This caravan is less l equipped than some of the upmarket two-berths in our selection, but at 1,310kg all up, it can easily be towed by a modest towcar. www.autoexpress.co.uk

Ultimate guide to caravans and Sprite Alpine 4 PROS: Lightweight and easy From: £21,195 Berths: 4 to store on a driveway thanks SPRITE is an iconic name in caravans, to narrower bodyshell – saving evoking memoriesofcarefree familyholidays on additional storage costs. for many middle-aged couples who may Towable with a hatchback. now have children or even grandchildren. CONS: Nowhere for the grown- The Alpine 4 is primarily a couple’s ups to sit and wind down after the kids have gone to bed. caravan with a bit of flexibility to take Cramped washroom. younger guests for occasional sleepovers. The fixed bed needs no making up in the evenings, and the front loung to a transverse double come A narrow 7ft 2in bodyshell s weight, but the tiny corner was feels pretty cramped, and ther precious little room behind to past the chef at teatime. On the upside, the Sprite can be towed by a family hatchback, is simple manoeuvre on site and relativ easy to store on a drivewayat Xplore 554 PROS: A lot of caravan for the money – and it ticks an From: £19,644 Berths: 4 THE Xplore 554 is a brave attempt to offer awful lot of boxes. Easy to multi-berth flexibility and fixed-bed comfort tow and store. Flexible on a lightweight chassis that’s easy to tow family-friendly layout. at an attractive price point. It also CONS: Maybe trying a little incorporates a desirable end washroom too hard to be all things to on a single-axle chassis to save weight. all people. Standard spec is pretty basic and storage While it works well as a comprehensively space is at a premium. equipped couple’s van that ticks pretty much all the boxes, space is likely to be squeezed with four on bo bodyshell is great from a t storage perspective, but it the habitation space. As you’d expect at thi the specification is basic, comfort levels are fine for spring and summer tourin and occasional sleepove with the grandchildren. Compass ex all-rounder that will cope with From: £23,644 Berths: 5 the needs of a growing family. A NEW addition to the Compass range, this Innovative design creates cleverly packaged multi-berth makes the separate spaces for adults most of the space across two separate and children. lounges that double as bedrooms. Creating CONS: All the beds need separate spaces for adults and children is to be made up every night. one of the secrets to happy family caravan Washroom is on the small holidays and the Casita is one of the best side for hosing off kids examples of this on the UK market. before bedtime. With its traditional parallel seats, the www.autoexpress.co.uk front lounge is the best bet for mealtime while the L-shaped rear lou play space for kids when isn’t playing ball. At night lounge converts to a doub an optional pop-up bunk the kids, leaving the front free for mum and dad to re in once the children have been safely tucked in. 38 SpecialIssue

towcars - Caravans PREMIUM LUXURY Adria Adora Isonzo separate shower cabinet positioned than many UK counterparts and the build PROS: Stylish and contemporary caravan across the back of the van. quality is approaching German standards. with a comfortable fixed bed and From: £29,705 Berths 4 comprehensive spec. Stylish detail lighting. THE Isonzo is a wide-bodied luxury tourer The cosy lounge up front converts into At 1,900kg all up, this eight-metre CONS: The washroom is just a little narrow aimed primarily at couples who might another transverse double and there’s a luxury tourer will need a fairly muscular compared with its twin-axle competitors. want to take the grandchildren away for well equipped kitchen featuring an oven, towcar to pull it in comfort – think large Heavy to tow – needs a large estate or SUV. the occasional weekend treat. The extra microwave and full-height fridge. The executive estate with a powerful diesel width creates space for a transversely contemporary styling feels more on-trend engine or a mid-size SUV. mounted fixed-island double bed, with a narrow washroom incorporating a Knaus Südwind 580 From: £33,995 Berths: 7 LIKE German cars, Teutonic caravans sports a unique layout, and this compact families. And although space will be at PROS: Unique and innovative layout that’s have a deserved reputation for good seven-berth caravan has a central dinette, a premium with a full complement on impossible to find on a UK-built caravan. build quality and excellent reliability a fixed front double and a triple bunk at board, this caravan is aimed squarely Clever use of space. Fine build quality. that justifies the premium price tag. the back. There’s also a compact corner at those with an active lifestyle who will CONS: Compact footprint, and the flipside washroom and a decent kitchen. spend most of their time outdoors and to German build quality is additional weight. Knaus is a company renowned for its have the majority of their meals sitting Cramped with seven people on board. excellence in design and build quality, and The intelligent use of space and clever outside under the awning. the Südwind 580 is a perfect example. It packaging make it an ideal choice for SpecialIssue 39 www.autoexpress.co.uk

Ultimate guide to caravans and Compass Casita 840 PROS: Roomy, family- friendly layout that can be From: £27,144 Berths: 6 towed by a large family THE Compass Casita is a brilliant touring car. Fixed-bed comfort for caravan, with lots of room to accommodate a the adults. Not too heavy growing family without requiring a big SUV to despite wide bodyshell. tow it. An 8ft-wide bodyshell offers extra room CONS: Lacks separate and enhances the spacious open-plan design. lounge space for the adults when all the kids There’s a huge lounge and a separate dining are in bed. Too big to area opposite the well equipped kitchen. At park on the driveway. the back is a separate fixed corner double bed, with a sizeable washroom for an en suite feel. This design approach is the gold standard for young families, with separate living spaces for children and for cleaning you the end of a d activities, plus comfortable b that doesn’t making up for the parents. Swift Elegance 835 PROS: A luxurious tourer for two, with a great bed From: £40,495 Berths: 4 and a huge washroom. THIS is a different take on the luxury two-berth Smartphone-controlled caravan, with occasional multi-berth flexibility. functionality allows the The fixed transverse island rear bed is aimed caravan to be preheated. squarely at couples, while the 8ft-wide body CONS: The twin beds in means there’s lots of room to get in and out the front lounge are only of bed without disturbing your partner. big enough for children to use. Looks pricey and The generous-sized washroom is split heavy, requiring a large across the middle of the van, offering en suite SUV to tow it. privacy from the living area plus the ability to close it off from the bedroom, too. There’s also a comprehensively and a cosy lounge, ideal for two people will easily seat four. Underfloor he standard, and ma the caravan’s func can be controlled v a smartphone app. Coachman Lusso 1 PROS: Single-axle platform keeps the From: £41,880 Berths: 4 weight down for easier COACHMAN’S Lusso is another UK-built luxury towing. Wonderful end tourer with occasional multi-berth flexibility, washroom. Practical which feels a cut above rivals when it comes L-shaped kitchen. to those luxury detail flourishes. CONS: The rooflights over the lounge and The 8ft-wide bodyshell allows the fixed bedroom are on the island double bed to be transversely mounted, small side and this is a shortening the footprint and allowing pricey proposition for a Coachman to build the Lusso on a single- first-time caravan buyer. axle platform to save weight. Out back is a beautifully finished full-width washroom, while the L-shaped se really makes the open-plan front An L-shaped kit maximises workt space and the Lus be ordered with air-con and a self- levelling system. 40 SpecialIssue

towcars - Caravans Elddis Avante 868 PROS: Space for a large family at a realistic price. From: £27,144 Berths: 6 Plenty of storage and a THE Avante 868 is another innovative family- usable payload, even with friendly tourer that offers genuinely spacious six people on board. accommodation for growing families. Flexibility to cope with changing needs of a Its 8ft-wide bodyshell and twin-axle chassis growing family. maximise the room in the airy front lounge and CONS: Rear fixed double unlike many multi-berth caravans, there is bed is a little on the narrow plenty of storage incorporated into the layout. side for adults. Bunks The lounge converts to a large double or twin don’t work for very young singles, with a fixed double and bunks at the children or teenagers. back of the van. The washroom is split across the central aisle, creating a separate shower and washroom with an en suit that offers the The 1,724k doesn’t need to tow it and layout will suit changing need a growing fami Buccaneer Cruiser PROS: Space-efficient layout with all the latest From: £39,044 Berths: 4 technological mod cons. WHILE its name evokes the lure of the open Comprehensive suite road, this luxury caravan is a good example of connectivity options. of an accelerating trend at the top end of the Fixed island bed is market: the rise of the semi-permanent pitch. comfortable. CONS: Needs a large Essentially, these big, heavy caravans spend towcar to pull it, but more most of the year on static pitches that owners likely to be parked on a ‘rent’ for the entire season from caravan park semi-permanent pitch. operators, so towing is minimised. The Cruiser is well equipped, with central heating and a full suite of tech and connectivity options. The space-efficient transverse island double bed creates ro and a room It’s a s couple’s va doubles as berth for w grandchild come to st Bailey Unicorn Cabrera PROS: Lighter than most rivals without noticeably From: £29,199 Berths: 4 compromising living space. BRISTOL-based Bailey is a master of the family- Central heating makes the friendly touring caravan and the Unicorn Unicorn usable all year Cabrera is quite possibly the most practical round. Clever design and premium four-berther on the UK market. packaging touches. CONS: Lacks some of the Based on a single-axle 7ft 5in chassis, the ‘bling’ of pricier rivals. The Cabrera weighs just 1,600kg, meaning it can interior styling is a little be safely towed with a fairly modest family uninspiring compared with hatchback or estate car. It has a large fixed island double bed and an split across the centre of t while the lounge convert large double bed or – for children – two singles. Central heating is fitted standard, with extra c and entertainment syste options. Space-efficient inside shows the attention that has gone into this car

Ultimate guide to caravans and USED CARAVANS Hymer Nova PROS: German build quality and robust – if 42 SpecialIssue Years: 2008-10 Berths: 2-4 slightly clunky – interiors. Pick of the bunch: 470 Good availability of Expect to pay: £9,000-£12,000 spare parts. HYMER has a deserved reputation for building CONS: Hymers tend to caravans to last and the Nova was a popular be on the heavy side and import during the caravanning boom years they don’t come cheap, between 2005 and 2015. The two-berth 470 while good, more recent and four-berth 540 were the most popular used models are in high models and there are usually a handful in the demand. caravan classifieds and at dealers nationwide. nosnikneJ werdnA The downside to Hymer’s build quality is a weight penalty; the 470 tips the scales at 1,500kg and needs a substantial vehicle to tow it. As with all used vans, look out for delamination evidenced by soft patches in the floor, cracking in the exterior gel coat, DIY repairs and leaks. Knaus StarClass PROS: Elegant exterior and distinctive profile. Years: 2006-2009 Berths 2-5 Striking rear light Pick of the bunch: 480 clusters. Solid, if slightly Expect to pay: £7,000-£12,000 dated interiors. German THE Knaus StarClass is an iconic caravan that build quality. took the UK market by storm when it arrived in CONS: Four-berth models 2006. The striking front panel and pastel- are heavy compared with coloured side panels broke the ‘white box on UK-built equivalents. wheels’ mould and it became a modern classic. Washrooms can look tired after extensive use over a The interior of early UK models now looks a decade or so. little clunky, but it was built to last and as long nosnikneJ werdnA as they have been cared for, even 15-year-old examples still look fresh. The two-berth 480 was a popular choice for Brits, with the family-friendly 560 also finding favour. Check for damp patches, lift the carpet and prod the floor, and pay close attention to door and locker catches. T@B PROS: Iconic design, lightweight and easy to Years: 2015-2020 Berths: 2-4 tow. Aerodynamic design Pick of the bunch: 400L suitable for EVs with Expect to pay: £10,000-£15,000 restricted towing ability. DESPITE their design icon status, there are CONS: Tiny interiors: usually a handful of used T@Bs available at four-berth models are any time because these funky little tourers realistically 2+1. 320 has don’t work for everyone. no washroom/WC. Very limited baseline spec T@Bs are made in Germany and their design means some lack gas and quality are pretty robust, while remaining or electric services. light and easy to manoeuvre once on site. But bear in mind the standard specification was very basic and gas and electric services weren’t always included in UK imports. Beware of retrofit DIY electric and gas services or vehicles that may have been used for festival glamping weekends.

towcars - Used caravans Sprite PROS: A comprehensive range of layouts to suit Years: 2007-2020 Berths: 2-6 couples and families. Pick of the bunch: Major 4 Relatively light weight Expect to pay: £7,500-£18,000 and easy to tow. All the THE popular Sprite brand is synonymous with essentials included in budget family caravanning and there’s a huge the standard UK spec. choice of used examples. The range comprises CONS: Early examples lightweight two-berths and roomy twin-axle can feel a bit tired; the six-berths for larger families, and even the price should reflect this. bigger models are generally light enough to Narrower 7ft 2in bodyshell tow with a family car or medium crossover. makes the interiors of early family models feel Kit levels tend to be quite basic, but gas and a little cramped. electric services should be there. Look out for multi-berths that have serious wear and tear, particularly kitchens and washrooms. Tired soft furnishings can be easily replaced, but upgrading water and gas appliances is a job for an approved workshop. Bailey Pursuit PROS: Robust build quality. Retains its value Years: 2014-2018 Berths: 2-5 well, but look for a main- Pick of the bunch: 540-5 dealer service history. Expect to pay: £9,000-£15,000 Wide range of layouts. BAILEY’S Pursuit is a family favourite with broad CONS: Interiors appeal at an attractive price. The firm’s Alutech sometimes feel a little construction technique makes it stronger and plain and floral fabric more durable than some UK rivals, and there’s patterns on earlier models a wide range of berths and layouts on offer. won’t be to everyone’s taste. Expect to pay a The flexible 540-5 has a classic layout with premium for low-use, parallel front benches, which convert to a large historied examples. double bed, and a washroom with two bunks alongside. The two-berth 400/2 is a superlight couple’s tourer with a huge end washroom that can be towed by a supermini. Standard kit tends to cover the basics, but many used examples may have an awning thrown in to extend the accommodation space. Compass Corona 574 PROS: Huge range of layouts for families and Years: 2007-2015 Berths: 2-6 couples. Lots of used stock, Pick of the bunch: 574 so you should find a Expect to pay: £6,000-£14,000 reasonable one nearby. A POPULAR all-rounder from a UK multi-marque Good standard spec. firm, with an abundance of used examples CONS: Earlier models will available. The cabinetry of earlier examples be looking tired inside and is beginning to feel a little dated, but the may have more serious soft furnishings remain pleasingly current. issues under the skin. Older models are prone Standard specs evolved over time but to DIY ‘customisation’ by should include gas, water and electrical second or third owners. services. A full set of owner’s club stickers can be a good indication that the caravan has been lovingly cared for, but beware of DIY bodges and fixes undertaken by hobbyists. Look for a clean but well used example with a service history. Check with a dampmeter for water ingress and the floor for any softness. www.autoexpress.co.uk

Ultimate guide to caravans and nagroM nahtaN Chris Rosamond SAFETY FIRST [email protected] Ensuring everything is connected correctly and that the noseweight is within the maximum limit is key before setting off IF you’re currently considering entering the world on the corrective steering wheel inputs as we make our of caravanning, you’re probably aware of recent first tentative straight-line reverse. driver licensing changes that mean everyone now has Theory is one thing, practice another. Even at a crawl it the freedom to tow a trailer of up to 3,500kgs without pays to watch the van like a hawk in your (extended) door needing to take an extra towing test. mirrors. Whenever the van starts to loom larger in the left But with freedom comes responsibility, and if you’re or right mirror, you turn the car’s steering wheel gently in new to the science of towing, the first thing you’re going the same direction to bring it back. It’s a simple rule, but to want to know is how to do it safely. requires considerable concentration at first, because you While you can gen-up on basic principles, towing tips and have to overcome the natural instinct to steer against the speed limits easily enough online, it’s the ‘manoeuvring’ direction the caravan is already turning. bit that tends to make people nervous. For the majority of When you do want to reverse the van around a corner, would-be caravanners who didn’t grow up twirling tractor as you typically may have to on a caravan site, then you trailers around a farmyard, or who have no other means of need some counter-steering to kick off the turn. Only “oIrf sycoiuen’rceenoefwtotowitnhge, bthlaecfkirastrt acquiring the necessary skills and experience, signing up up to the point that your cornering angle is set, though, kthnionwg yisouh’orewgtooindgotiot swaafenlty”to for towing training is a no-brainer. For an insight into what’s after which you need to gently wind off the lock and steer on offer, we hooked up with professional instructor Matt the car to follow the caravan around. TOWIN Price from Farnborough, Hampshire, (who incidentally did Confused? Even writing this I’ve had to manoeuvre two grow up driving trailers on a farm) to see if he could help model cars on my desk to check that I’m describing things me with the toughest towing challenge of all: reversing. correctly. It just goes to show that there’s no substitute I’ve towed a variety of things over the years, including for getting behind the wheel and practising. boats, caravans and cars on trailers, but still felt like a If you’re anything like me, you’ll need to stop the car novice when reversing. Maintaining a sense of humour frequently at first for a brain reboot mid-manoeuvre, but helps overcome the embarrassment of botched reversing at a snail’s pace means you never really have manoeuvres, but I was eager to see if Matt could help to get into too much of a pickle. After a few hashed-up improve my chances of avoiding trouble in the first place. attempts to carry out the manoeuvre, things begin to He reckons even novices only need a few hours of gel, and it’s fair to say that a couple of hours with Matt training to crackthe basics, and knowing you can confidently improved my technique – and confidence – no end. back a caravan into a space on a site, or reverse up a lane to make way for oncoming traffic, is crucial for peace of mind. Still, Matt kicks off our session with an introduction to the basic principles of trailer-towing, and as we walk around his towcar and caravan combo, we quickly get into essential details, such as loading to the correct noseweight. That’s the weight pressing down on your car’s towball, and it can be adjusted by moving weight forward or back over the caravan’s axle. It’s critical for balance and stability, and varies from van to van, but is typically around 50-70kgs. You can buy devices to measure noseweight if you’re not allowed to take the bathroom scales outside, and this should be checked when you’ve loaded up for any trip. Then it’s a run-through of the features of the towing hitch itself, including the operation of the parking brake, hitch lock and breakaway cable. There’s time to practise hitching and unhitching safely without risking a runaway on uneven ground, and a top tip on checking the caravan brake lights (use your phone in video mode) before the real fun starts. TAKE IN THE VIEW Successfully reversing a caravan is definitely a science, Additional wing mirrors gave but to the novice it can feel like witchcraft as the caravan Chris a better view of where veers off every which way but the one you’d hoped for. he was reversing and what the Matt’s first piece of advice is probably the most useful of caravan was doing during the all. “Take it slowly, as slow as you can,” he cautions, taking manoeuvre. He also towed station outside the towcar alongside the nearside door the caravan on the road, with mirror. From there he offers encouragement and instruction Matt Price offering advice 44 SpecialIssue

towcars - How to tow G FOR GOLD iWvnaselturhauobcolteokrtuiMppsawtotintPhtroipcwreoinffoegrsssioomnael What to look for when choosing your course THERE are many towing courses to choose be a fun way to introduce yourself to the from, but not all tutors are professionally camaraderie of caravanning, but Matt says qualified DVSA-approved driving he’s received feedback from trainees who instructors, so it pays to check credentials. were disappointed at the lack of individual Caravan clubs run beginners’ courses, attention they received in group training. but you may have to share a (sometimes Matt’s four-hour training course covers unqualified) instructor’s attention with hitching and loading your caravan safely, BcaersstnTaomwed other learners, and might still need a reversing skills and techniques, weight follow-up course to hone your reversing distribution and various on-road driving technique. Club courses in a group could challenges. Find out more at mp-dt.co.uk. SpecialIssue 45

Ultimate guide to caravans and BREESVTEATOLWEDCBARRIST2A0IN2’2S CThhteojeucrspketi’coshkuimttwcothhhriaenetgst’esourtptioogwawhtcicnaafgorrarstvthyaaoarnnus. Bob Murray that’s the first figure to look at. And checkyour car’s kerbweight; a caravan that keeps to within 46 SpecialIssue CONVENIENT, affordable and fun; it’s no 85 per cent of it is best for easy and safe towing. surprise caravan holidays are booming. Hitching a mobile holiday home to the family car and Consider your chosen caravan’s recommended heading for wherever you fancy is a reality for noseweight, making sure it doesn’t exceed the more people in the UK than ever. But in a rapidly maximum figure your car’s towbar will allow. To changing motoring landscape – Estate? SUV? ensure the best stability, the noseweight must Petrol? Diesel? Hybrid? Electric? – which are the be checked every time you load up for a trip, to best models for the job? make sure it’s within the correct parameters. This question is a hot topic for the Caravan Finally, establish what the gross train weight and Motorhome Club, which holds an annual (GTW) will be for a loaded car and caravan test to uncover the best towing options. The cars combined – and double check that your licence are put through their paces to assess handling, allows you to drive it. There were changes to the acceleration and braking on the rolling hills of licence classes that were introduced last year. the Millbrook Proving Ground in Bedfordshire. “hMbthTarihealnlbeikrdirnlcopingaoagrkcos,enPaascrrtotechoveepilnaeuhsgrtasilelGttsihsorsoronofuuantghndhed” First, though, give some thought to what you will be towing. Matching a car with a caravan is www.autoexpress.co.uk crucial to ensure they are compatible – for safety and also to stay on the right side of the law. You may be able to haul a one-tonne caravan with a two-tonne car, but not the other way round. All cars have a legal maximum weight for towing a braked trailer, such as a caravan, so

towcars - Best towcars WHAT THE JUDGES SAID: RVeoclvhoarVg6e0plug-in hybrid T6 AWD “Another outstanding towcar from Volvo. Performance is significantly CLASS WINNER: Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles enhanced by the hybrid boost, and Kerbweight: 2,075kg Gross vehicle: 2,550kg the ride and handling are up with Noseweight: 100kg Towing capacity (braked): 2,000kg the best in class. This is all backed up with the reassurance and sure- Price: from £48,390 footedness of all-wheel-drive” WHAT THE JUDGES WHAT WE SAY: THE V60 has the attributes of the time-honoured Volvo estate, SAID: “Goodness, this is only here it’s paired with a plug-in hybrid drivetrain that offers a claimed 54 a phenomenal car. It’s big miles of electric-only running. The spaciousness is expected, although there’s enough for a family and perhaps even more room in the back than you might think, plus the V60’s large their luggage, plus it’s boot is unaffected by the addition of the hybrid system’s battery. great to look at.” WHAT THE JUDGES And it’s that power pack that delivers the claimed electric-only range, SAID: “We couldn’t although it’s closer to 25-27 miles in our experience, and will be less recommend this enough, still when towing. It takes 2.5 hours to charge using a 3.4kW wallbox (it won’t particularly in the value charge any faster than that), or six hours from a domestic three-pin plug. section of the market. You genuinely don’t know All V60 models offer a luxurious feel, and none are left wanting when it you’re towing until you comes to tech; automatic LED headlights, two-zone climate control and a large look in your mirror.” and intuitive nine-inch touchscreen infotainment screen are among the many highlights. Combine that with a light and airy cabin, and the V60 cements its www.autoexpress.co.uk place among the premium cars. It’s more comfort than sports orientated, but the V60 is still a winner, and Volvo has long been the hero of the caravan park. Skoda Enyaq iV 80 Lounge 82kWh 204PS DSG CCLLAASSSS WWIINNNNEERR:: EClaercatvraicnVWeheiicglhetsUnder 1,100kg & Kerbweight: 2,090kg Gross vehicle: 2,612kg Noseweight: 75kg Towing capacity (braked): 750kg Price: from £41,240 WHAT WE SAY: SKODA’S Enyaq iV is unquestionably one of the best cars we’ve tried so far on the Volkswagen Group’s all-electric MEB platform. And it’s all the more impressive given that it’s the Czech firm’s first bespoke electric car. It offers all the space and usable practicality we’ve come to expect from the brand, but ramps up Skoda’s trademark refinement with its electric drivetrain and supple ride. The second of the three available models, the 80, makes the best choice for towing, not least because it promises a 336-mile range, although you can expect that to be significantly less with a 1,000kg caravan on the back. But when the time comes to charge, the Enyaq accepts up to 135kW, meaning topping up from 10 to 80 per cent takes a little over half an hour. A full charge from empty to full takes nearly 13 hours from a home wallbox. Tech is strong across the range, with a widescreen infotainment display and digital dials the stars, while mid-range Lounge spec offers some very premium-feeling leather trim. If you want more, then there’s a wide range of equipment packs available. SsangYong Musso Rhino LWB auto CLASS WINNER: Pick-ups Kerbweight: 2,660kg Gross vehicle: 3,400kg Noseweight: 140kg Towing capacity (braked): 3,500kg Price: from £37,728 WHAT WE SAY: WHEN it comes to towing, there are few models more muscular than a pick-up, a class of vehicle that’s designed to haul loads with ease. Indeed, with a full load on the back, the choppy ride that pick-up drivers frequently encounter when the truck is unladen is smoothed out. The Musso’s one-tonne payload and 3.5-tonne towing capacity, coupled with 420Nm of torque, means towing really is the Korean pick-up’s forte, even if it’s rather old-school in a few areas. Six-speed manual and automatic gearboxes are offered, and all models have selectable low-range ratios for when you need additional control, such as hauling a caravan across a muddy field. In flagship Rhino form, the Musso has space (including what is said to be the longest load bed on the market) and a smattering of luxury, with an attractive cabin featuring a 9.2-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, automatic climate control, auto headlights and wipers and electrically operated, heated and ventilated Nappa leather seats. And being a commercial vehicle, the Musso will be a bit of a tax bargain as a company-car purchase. SpecialIssue 47

Ultimate guide to caravans and VR-oLlkinsew2a.0geTnDGI 1o5lf0PS DSG WHAT THE JUDGES SAID: “A great choice CLASS WINNER: for the caravanner who Caravan Weight 1,200-1,300kg wants a reliable, Kerbweight: 1,459kg stylish and quite Gross vehicle: 1,960kg simply timeless car. Noseweight: 80kg You know where you Towing capacity (braked): 1,600kg are with a Golf.” Price: from £30,515 WHAT WE SAY: IT’S true: you do know where you are with this motoring icon. The archetypal hatchback has reigned supreme over eight generations, combining classy looks and practicality, while also being good to drive and offering a comfortable and pleasant place to be, even if cheaper rivals have caught up with the Volkswagen in lots of ways. Exhibit A is the Golf’s technology, with the curious decision to replace physical heater controls with touch-sensitive sliders. When it comes to caravanning, the model of choice is, whisper it, a diesel. That’s because torque is key, and it’s very hard to argue against 361Nm of the stuff from as low as 1,600rpm when you have a 1,240kg caravan to pull along. Acceleration of 40-60mph in 7.8 seconds when towing is impressive, too. Volkswagen offers a wide range of trims across the Golf range, but it’s the R-Line that’s singled out for praise here. It wants for very little, and benefits from some sporty looks and rear privacy glass, which is handy for hiding any additional luggage that you’ve not managed to squeeze inside the fairly average-sized 381-litre boot. WHAT THE JUDGES N1.3isTseaknnQaa+sXhtqroani ic SAID: “A good all- round towcar, it does CCaLrAaSvSanWWINeNigEhRt:1,300-1,400kg everything well and Kerbweight: 1,564kg would make a sound Gross vehicle: 1,985kg purchase.” Noseweight: 100kg Towing capacity (braked): 1,800kg 48 SpecialIssue Price: from £37,145 WHAT WE SAY: THAT the Qashqai isn’t the clear- cut class leader it used to be says more about a proliferation of excellent rivals than any failings on Nissan’s part. This is the third-generation Qashqai and it improves on its predecessor with more space, better on-board tech and lots of practical touches. We particularly like the rear doors that open to 85 degrees, which makes loading kids in child seats so much easier. The reversible boot floor, complete with a wipe-clean surface, makes carrying muddy boots a cinch. And speaking of boots, the Qashqai has 504 litres of space, but N-Connecta, Tekna and Premiere Edition cars see this cut to 479 litres, due to standard-fit luggage boards, which separate the load bay into individual sections. In its chosen form here, the caravanners’ model of choice is powered by a 1.3-litre petrol engine, sending power to the front wheels via an automatic gearbox. The car’s chassis is significantly stiffer than before, meaning it has a generally more agile feel, and while top-spec models feature multi-link rear suspension, 1.3-litre models have a torsion-beam set-up. It’s not desperately sophisticated, but it is effective when towing. www.autoexpress.co.uk

towcars - Best towcars WHAT THE JUDGES VR-oLlkinsew2a.0geTnDAI 2rt0e0oPnSSDhSoGoting Brake SAID: “While the Arteon is something a CLASS WINNER: Caravan Weight 1,400-1,500kg bit different, it makes a Kerbweight: 1,651kg Gross vehicle: 2,200kg suitable family towcar. Noseweight: 80kg Towing capacity (braked): 2,200kg There’s lots of room in the rear and it drives Price: from £43,425 really nicely.” WHAT THE JUDGES WHAT WE SAY: THE flagship of Volkswagen’s passenger car range is as close SAID: “Another super- as you can get to a luxury car for the masses. It has all the style, technology and impressive battery electric features to take on genuinely premium rivals, such as the Audi A5 Sportback or SUV which combines BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé. The Shooting Brake bodystyle means VW’s long-roof stunning performance model trumps both for all-important boot space. And while it’s very subjective, with precise low-speed it could be regarded as the most stylish, too, especially in R-Line trim. manoeuvrability.” WHAT THE JUDGES SAID: More important for caravanners is its towing ability; the TDI engine’s 400Nm “This is a faultless towcar – of torque makes light work of tonne-and-a-half caravans, and it recorded a brisk the added ability to configure 6.85-second 40-60mph dash time. Economy is strong, too. With your caravan an individual suspension, unhitched, you can expect real-world economy close to 50mpg, which could be gearbox and engine profile enough for some 600-700 miles of range thanks to the car’s 66-litre tank. for your towing makes it even more versatile.” While it might not thrill behind the wheel, the Arteon is at least well refined, and the interior isn’t just stylish for a Volkswagen, it looks great full stop. There’s www.autoexpress.co.uk plenty of technology available, including the optional Driver Assist pack, which brings a smart predictive function to the car’s cruise control. Volvo XC40 Recharge pure electric AWD CLASS WINNER: Caravan Weight 1,500-1,700kg Kerbweight: 2,188kg Gross vehicle: 2,650kg Noseweight: 100kg Towing capacity (braked): 1,800kg Price: from £54,300 WHAT WE SAY: VOLVO’S XC40 is no stranger to awards; indeed in diesel form it was Towcar of the Year in 2020, and was Auto Express’s Small Premium SUV back in 2018. In any form, it’s still one of our favourite SUVs: a beautifully engineered creation with excellent performance, decent range, exceptional refinement and few compromises on practicality. The brand offers two Recharge models: one a plug-in hybrid, the other fully electric. As a twin-motor, all-wheel-drive flagship, the near-£55,000 Recharge pure electric is certainly expensive. But you’re not short-changed on power, with 396bhp and 660Nm of torque guaranteeing neck-snapping performance in top- spec models. From 40-60mph with a caravan on the back, it’s two seconds quicker than even the Porsche Cayenne (see below). The single-motor model can cover 261 miles on a charge, just two more than the faster dual-motor version. Thanks to 150kW charging capability, it takes 33 minutes to replenish the battery from 10 to 80 per cent, but you need up to 12 hours to complete a full charge from a 7.4kW home wallbox. EP-oHrysbchriedC8a-SypeenendeTiptronic S CLASS WINNER: Caravan Weight Over 1,700kg Kerbweight: 2,370kg Gross vehicle: 3,030kg Noseweight: 140kg Towing capacity (braked): 3,500kg Price: from £72,560 WHAT WE SAY: IN this E-Hybrid form the Porsche Cayenne doesn’t tear up the tarmac like the mighty Turbo flagship: pulling a caravan, its 0-60 is a very un-Porsche-like 10.4 seconds. But then this version is all about a balance of performance and efficiency, and here it excels. 69IatsnCdO921emmpigs.siBountsaasreevaesr,lothwaat’ss 71g/km, with claimed economy between more about how frequently you’re willing and able to plug in to charge as anything else. Do this daily, and Porsche says you’ll get between 24 and 27 miles of zero-emissions motoring. That could make the commute very efficient, but is less relevant when towing over long distances. Still, there’s a big fuel tank for a touring range few EVs would get close to. Plus, it’s a Cayenne, so it relies on a huge array of sophisticated dynamic systems, while its accomplished handling continues to defy the fact his is a full- size SUV with all the space most people will ever need. It’s also one of the few SUVs that is genuinely sporty, yet in E-Hybrid guise, retains that refined edge. SpecialIssue 49

Ultimate guide to caravans and Ford Kuga WHAT THE JUDGES ST-Line X Edition 2.0 TDCi MHEV SAID: “Very impressive manual gearbox. The CLASS WINNER: Family Towcar Kuga sits in fourth on Kerbweight: 1,680kg the hill route where most Gross vehicle: 2,155kg cars would be in third.” Noseweight: 100kg Towing capacity (braked): 1,900kg FFHorEdVSS-TM-Laixne Price: N/A CLASS WINNER: Large Family Towcar Kerbweight: 1,947kg WHAT WE SAY: DURING nearly 15 years and three Gross vehicle: 2,545kg generations, the Ford Kuga has morphed from slightly Noseweight: 90kg quirky crossover to one of the brand’s biggest-selling Towing capacity (braked): 1,750kg models. It’s really not hard to see why, either. Price: N/A This family SUV features the superb driving dynamics Ford has long been famed for in a practical WHAT WE SAY: WE have long been fans of and, if you choose the right model, efficient package. the Ford S-Max and can see just what a standout The Caravan and Motorhome Club reckons the towcar this seven-seat MPV would make. However, currently unavailable mild-hybrid diesel powertrain right now, there’s a significant fly in the ointment: is best, with plenty of all-important mid-range punch Ford currently says that “due to customer demand when towing. When not laden with a caravan or and supply chain disruption, new factory orders luggage, Ford says 57.6mpg is possible. New-car are currently unavailable”. buyers only have the choice of a 1.5-litre petrol or 2.5-litre full or plug-in hybrid at the moment, neither So, if you want one, and don’t want to wait, the of which quite match the diesel’s towing credentials. used-car forecourts are currently the only option. This is a double shame because the latest S-Max is more The Kuga isn’t quite as spacious as the likes of the rounded than it has ever been. The Ford is more fun Toyota RAV4 and Skoda Karoq, but the room that’s to drive than a big seven-seater has any right to be, available will be plenty for most families. Touches like looks just as un-boxy as ever and most recently has a heated windscreen, front and rear parking sensors gained a full-hybrid powertrain. and Ford’s EasyFuel system, which makes it virtually impossible to misfuel, all come as standard, as does And the Caravan and Motorhome Club judges the brand’s SYNC 3 infotainment system. This is easy reckon it’s the pick of the Large Family Towcar to use and responsive, although Apple CarPlay and bunch. Shorn of the need to plug in to achieve Android Auto connectivity is also fitted as standard, the best fuel economy, Ford claims more than bringing live mapping and audio streaming options. 44mpg is possible when not towing. WHAT THE JUDGES The ST-Line model tested here is arguably the SAID: “One of the more desirable of the range, too, thanks to some standout contenders sportystyling augmenting the same brilliantSYNC3 here. Offers great family infotainment system as the Ford Kuga (see above). flexibility combined with For caravanners who need the flexibility of extra the muscle to tow a large seats, the S-Max is the standout choice. multi-berth caravan. It’s an excellent alternative www.autoexpress.co.uk to a 4x4 SUV.” 50 SpecialIssue